* Checking MDA’s books normal routine – EFCC source
* Staff express shock over visit
While the Nigerian media space is awash with debates over the propriety of President Tinubus decision to send Professor Mahmood Yakubu on terminal leave ahead of his retirement, the EFCC has paid an unexpected visit to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC, thereby fuelling speculation of a fallout between the President and the INEC Chairman, ANTHONY OCHELA writes.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly directed the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, to proceed on leave prior to the expiration of his tenure. Insider sources claim the move stems from what they described as Yakubus last-minute betrayal of the All Progressives Congress, APC, government that appointed him.
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma is said to have met with President Tinubu shortly after the Presidents return from a 12-day working vacation, alleging that Yakubus moves to register new political parties at the end of his tenure had disrupted preparations for Tinubus second-term bid. The governor further alleged that Yakubu was covertly backing a candidate in the Imo State governorship election.
Following this briefing, Tinubu reportedly requested that Yakubu suspend all official duties and proceed on terminal leave. The decision has disrupted the Commissions schedule, leading to the abrupt cancellation of Yakubus final quarterly consultative meeting with political parties, as well as a planned session with civil society organisations. Tinubu is now expected to submit the name of a new INEC Chairman to the National Assembly in the coming days.
Yakubu was first appointed on October 21, 2015 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, succeeding acting Chairperson Amina Zakari.
In March, it was reported that a prominent politician from Oghara, Delta State, was actively lobbying for a compromised figure to be installed as the next INEC Chairman, paving the way for a clear return of Tinubu. Sources implicated former Delta State Governor James Ibori, a convicted ex-governor who returned to Nigeria after serving a sentence in the United Kingdom for looting public funds.
It was alleged that Ibori was manoeuvring to position his associate and kinsman, Moses Ogbe, as the next INEC Chairman to ensure control over the 2027 elections. Iboris influence remains significant; past political manoeuvres include the appointment of his in-law, Chinedu Ebie, as Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Governing Board, and his daughter, Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, as Chairperson of the House Committee on NDDC.
Ogbe, a former Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, during Prof. Maurice Iwus tenure, has a controversial record.
Moses Ogbes Troubling Track Record
Investigations into Ogbes past reveal a troubling history of electoral manipulation. Once a staunch member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ogbe was nominated by Ibori for a REC position during a period widely associated with electoral malpractice. He was allegedly part of a network of election manipulators working closely with Prof. Iwu, notorious for overseeing Nigerias discredited 2007 general electionsan election so flawed that then-President Umaru Musa YarAdua admitted its failures and initiated electoral reforms.
Ogbes tenure as REC in Lagos State during the 2003 elections was also marred by reports of serious irregularities under then-Governor Bola Tinubu. Tinubu is known for surrounding himself with individuals he has previously worked with or trusted.
For instance, in 1999, the current Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, served as Tinubus Chief Security Officer while holding the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police. Earlier in September, INEC officially recognised former Senate President David Mark as National Chairman and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, ending months of internal wrangling over the partys leadership.
The Commission also confirmed Dr Mani Ibrahim as National Treasurer, alongside Akibu Dalhatu and Professor Oserheimen Osunbor, who now serve as National Financial Secretary and National Legal Adviser, respectively. These names were uploaded to INECs official website.
All these developments appear to reinforce the notion that all is not well between the President and Professor Yakubu, who many Nigerians believe played a pivotal role in Tinubus emergence as President.
Within the last week of September, specifically on the 27th, reports emerged that Yakubu had been directed to suspend official duties ahead of his tenures expiration, unsettling INECs schedule. Speculation grew stronger after the Commission abruptly cancelled its quarterly consultative meeting with political parties and a planned session with civil society organisations.
Yakubu, first appointed in 2015 by former President Buhari and reappointed in 2020 after Senate confirmation, is due to complete his second term in October 2025, becoming the first INEC Chairman to serve two terms since the Commissions establishment.
Although there has been no official statement from the Presidency, reports of Yakubus forced exit have triggered heated reactions on social media.
Reacting on Thursday via X, Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, insisted the directive was real and tied to Yakubus upcoming exit in October. By contrast, former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani dismissed the claims as most likely social media entertainment news.
Meanwhile, credible sources informed this medium that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has already visited INECs headquarters in search of incriminating documents to pin financial crimes on Yakubu, allegedly to make him pay for his perceived betrayal of the ruling APC.
One anonymous staff member said: We were all surprised as the EFCC came to the headquarters to ransack the office of Professor Yakubu, and the departments of Finance and Accounts, Procurement, Audit, Training, International Cooperation and Protocol, and Information and Communication Technology.
In a similar development, the EFCC also paid a surprise visit to the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC.
Recall that on July 27, the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, inaugurated the new Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the NDIC, Mr Thompson Oludare Sunday, and Executive Director (Operations), Dr Kabir Sabo Katata, at the Ministry of Finance, Abuja.
During the ceremony, the Honourable Minister noted that the NDIC, as part of Nigerias financial safety net, has a crucial role in the nations pursuit of economic stability and prosperity. He charged the management team to bring their wealth of experience to bear on their assignments while assuring them of the ministrys full support.
Responding, Mr Sunday expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for the appointment, assuring the Minister of the management teams readiness to live up to expectations.
The removal of Mr Bello Hassan, the former NDIC Managing Director, was reportedly linked to poor management and the need to investigate his tenure.
However, EFCC sources have attributed the raids on INEC and NDIC to routine operations and denied claims of witch-hunting or victimisation.
The EFCCs statutory role to prevent, investigate, and prosecute economic and financial crimesincluding corruption, money laundering, and fraudempowers it to investigate any government agency or appointee, our source stated.
