Politics

BREAKING: INEC Gets ‘Acting Chairman’ Amid Mahmood Yakubu’s Alleged Sacking

Published

8 months ago

April 10, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Mr Sam Olumekun.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has a new acting chairman in the person of Mr Sam Olumekun.

Olumekun, who is INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, was referred to as acting INEC Chairman at a meeting he held with the Labour Party leadership on Wednesday.

Ekwutosblog understands that Professor Yakubu is currently in the Gambia to participate in the ECONEC (ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions) meeting.

Per constitutional provision, the tenure of an INEC chairman is five years and they have historically left at the end of their terms if not renewed.

Yakubu assumed the role on November 9, 2015. He became the first INEC chairman to be sworn in for second term after former President Muhammadu Buhari renewed his appointment in 2020.

Section 157 of the constitution stipulates that the president can only remove the INEC chairman with the support of two-thirds of the Senate.

Meanwhile, the new acting chairman, Olumekun, met with a delegation of the Labour Party, led by Abia State Governor Dr Alex Otti, who visited INEC headquarters in Abuja.

Days ago, reports claimed that President Bola Tinubu had sacked Yakubu as INEC chairman and replaced him with Professor Bashiru Olamilekan.

However, the presidency debunked the reports. The Senior Special Adviser to the President on Digital and New Media, O’tega Ogra, urged the public to disregard the reports as “fake news”.

Ogra noted that such an announcement would come through official channels such as the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Amid reports of his sacking, Professor Yakubu presided over INEC’s weekly meeting at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.

The meeting included several national commissioners, including Olumekun.

“Crucial decisions would be taken at the meeting,” INEC had said in a tweet.

Politics

BREAKING: Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke Joins Accord Party

Published

8 hours ago

December 9, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

In the letter, Adeleke attributed his exit to the crisis at the national level.

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has announced his defection to a new political party.

Adeleke recently resigned from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), citing internal crises within the party.

According to a letter addressed to the PDP Chairman of Ward 2, Sagba Abogunde, in Ede North Local Government Area, the governor formally withdrew from the party on November 4, 2025.

In the letter, Adeleke attributed his exit to the crisis at the national level.

“Due to the current crisis within the national leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), I hereby resign my membership of the People’s Democratic Party with immediate effect,” the letter read.

Adeleke, who rose to political prominence through the PDP, expressed gratitude for the role the party played in his political journey.

“I thank the People’s Democratic Party for the opportunities given to me for my elections as a Senator (Represented Osun West) and as Governor of Osun State under the People’s Democratic Party,” he stated.

In an announcement on Tuesday evening monitored by SaharaReporters, Adeleke unveiled his new political platform as the Accord Party.

SaharaReporters had earlier reported indications that he would join the Accord Party, citing sources familiar with developments in the state.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSDbL_GjK–/?igsh=dnE1MWNzbzh0azNi

Politics

State House of Assembly suspends Local Govt chairman

Published

9 hours ago

December 9, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

State House of Assembly suspends LG chairman

The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has suspended the Chairman of Lafia Local Government, Mohammad Haliru Arabo, for three months over his role in the unlawful removal of the council’s Speaker.

The decision was taken during plenary in Lafia after a motion was raised by Musa Ibrahim Abubakar, who leads the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

Lawmakers agreed that the action was needed to allow a fair investigation and calm the tension that followed the leadership dispute in the council.

The Speaker of the House, Danladi Jatau, said the suspension will stand until the committee completes its findings.

He said that the current structure of the Lafia Legislative Arm will remain unchanged throughout the investigation.

During this period, the Deputy Chairman of Lafia Local Government, Uba Arikiya, has been directed to take charge of the council.

The Speaker explained that the House acted within the powers given to it by the constitution and questioned why the Chairman ventured into matters that belong to the legislature.

The Clerk of the House has been asked to notify Governor Abdullahi Sule of the resolution.

Lawmakers such as Hajarat Danyaro Ibrahim, Mohammed Garba Isimbabi, Suleiman Yakubu Azara, and Larry Ven-Bawa backed the move, saying that the suspension would help prevent a wider crisis in the council and send a clear message to other local governments in the state.