The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, has declared that he would not bow to calls by his critics to resign.
He said that serving as the head of the nation’s electoral umpire is based on patriotism and insisted that he has never contemplated quitting his office.
“I see no reason why I should resign,” he said in a response to a question whether he is under pressure to leave his office. Yakubu continued: “I see no reason to even contemplate resigning. We have a job to do for our country.
My job is purely based on patriotism and love for the country.” He also said that there is no foreign interference in Nigeria’s electoral process and reiterated that only people with Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) will be allowed to elect their leaders.
At his fourth press conference held at the International Conference Centre (ICC),He said many of the foreigners were only observers and monitors, stressing that the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) is granting re-entry visas to all observers who may wish to travel out of the country and return for the second part of the polls.
“In this regard, the Service has also requested me to convey its decision to waive the visa fee and treat all such requests expeditiously. The extension of stay or re-entry into the country will be treated gratis,” Yakubu said.
