INEC: Umeadi takes over as Acting Chairman

Iwu had refused to hand over the commission’s affairs to another officer despite his sudden sack on Wednesday evening, preferring to protest his disengagement, alleging “ambiguities” in the letter asking him to immediately proceed on leave by visiting Jonathan who, however, snubbed him at the Presidential Villa yesterday. Dr. Goodluck Jonathan had directed that Iwu […]

Iwu had refused to hand over the commission’s affairs to another officer despite his sudden sack on Wednesday evening, preferring to protest his disengagement, alleging “ambiguities” in the letter asking him to immediately proceed on leave by visiting Jonathan who, however, snubbed him at the Presidential Villa yesterday.

Dr. Goodluck Jonathan had directed that Iwu hand over to the most senior INEC National Commissioner, who will take charge until a substantive chairman is appointed.

Weekly Trust learnt that the most senior commissioner that could have taken over, Barrister Victor Chukwuani, from Enugu State, also received a letter on Wednesday evening directing him to proceed on pre-disengagement leave with immediate effect.

Umeadi who was appointed on September 6, 2006 to replace Prof. Maurice, following his appointment as INEC chairman in 2005, is the most senior national commissioner in the commission upon the simultaneous exit of Barrister Victor Chukwuani whose five-year tenure expires in June.