The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appointed Professor Mohammad Lawal Bashar, an ardent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as a residential commissioner in Jigawa State for the forthcoming 2023 elections.
Jaafar Jaafar, a Kano-born journalist, yesterday, condemned the appointment on Twitter, saying INEC needs non-partisan personalities for free and credible elections.
According to him, the commission’s decision to employ the political stalwart is against section 4(2a) of the third schedule of the 1999 constitution.
“Prof. Mohammad Lawal, one-time APC governorship aspirant in Sokoto state and former Special Adviser has been screened by the Senate and posted by INEC to Jigawa as Residential Commissioner. Apart from BVAS & IReV, INEC needs apolitical electoral umpires for free and fair elections,” the journalist tweeted.\
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In 2018, Jaafar exposed Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Kano State Government for a money scandal. He later fled the country as the governor’s loyalists allegedly threatened his life.
WikkiTimes’ effort to reach INEC through a number provided on its website proved abortive. At press time, a text sent to the number had not been responded to.
