Lobby intensifies for Guobadia's job
By Fred Okoror, Political Correspondent
A LOBBY may have begun for the position of Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the tenure of the incumbent, Dr. Abel Guobadia, expires in March 2005.
The Guardian gathered that a retired Supreme Court judge from the South East, a seasoned public administrator from the North and a political scientist from the South South might have indicated interest in the job.
It was further learnt that the search for Gubobadia's replacement was being given top priority in the Presidency, following growing speculations that the INEC helmsman might resign in November, four months to the end of his tenure.
Schedule Three, Part 1 established by Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution stipulates the conditions for the appointment of the chairman of INEC. Section 155, Subsection 1(c) however, specified the tenure. It says: "In the case of a person who is a member otherwise than as ex-officio member or otherwise than by virtue of his having previously held an office, for a period of five years from the date of his appointment."
Guobadia, who assumed the chairmanship of the electoral body in 2000, following the death of Justice Ephraim Akpata, was rumoured to have made up his mind to quit office in November after serving the nation for more than 45 years.
Contacted yesterday, however, the Public Affairs Director of INEC, Mr. Steve Osemeke told The Guardian on phone that Guobadia was not thinking of quitting office before the expiration of his tenure in 2005.
Osemeke, who described the news of his boss speculated resignation as a mere rumour, stated that even if Guobadia's tenure expires next year, he could be re-appointed if the Presidency believed that he had discharged his duties creditably.
"We are not aware that Guobadia is planning to leave office in November. All we know is that his five-year tenure will expire in 2005. Who says he cannot be re-appointed by the Presidency if he has performed his duties well Does the Constitution specify that he cannot be re-appointed", Osemeka queried.
Though information on those scheming to take over from Guobadia has remained scanty, sources said they had since made representations to the Presidency on their suitability for the job.
But as speculations of Guobadia's resignation gathered momentum, two constitutional lawyers, Chief Gani Fawehinmi and Prof. Itse Sagay, called for the appointment of a fearless and selfless Nigerian "if the speculations of Guobadia intended resignation is realistic." They spoke in separate telephone chats with The Guardian yesterday.
Gani said that given the fact that INEC was central to the survival of democracy, a retired Supreme Court judge should be appointed as a replacement in view of the sensitive nature of the electoral commission. He specifically named Justice Chukwudifu Oputa as one of those eminently qualified for the job.
But Sagay stated that if Guobadia decided to leave office in November, it would be a wise decision for the INEC boss. He stressed that Guobadia's tenure in INEC had done a lot of damage to the good name he built over the years.
"If Guobadia is thinking of quitting, it is a wise decision because the job has done a lot of damage to his reputation. He has presided over elections that were badly tainted, going by the level of rigging. The rigging was in spite of him. All the rigging took place without his approval. He could at least resign to save his image.
"During the late Gen. Sani Abacha regime, Dr. Olu Onagoruwa resigned as Justice Minister when draconian laws were made without his knowledge and approval. My advice was that if Guobadia's tenure expires, he should not lobby for re-appointment," Sagay said.
The Special Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo on Communications and Public Affairs, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode told The Guardian that he was not aware that "prominent Nigerians have started lobbying for Guobadia's job." Fani Kayode however confirmed that by virtue of the 1999 Constitution, Guobadia's five year tenure would expire in 2005.
