I won’t contest 2023 presidency – INEC Chairman

Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has announced that he will not contest the 2023 presidential election.

He made this revelation while reacting to assumptions that he may soon declare his presidential ambition.

The Chairman via a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Rotimi Lawrence Oyekanmi, said: “Our attention has been drawn to innuendoes in certain quarters that Nigerians should not be surprised if the INEC Chairman joins the Presidential race or urging him to do so.

“It is a preposterous proposition. It will not happen,”

Oyekanmi added that, “His constitutional responsibilities as the Chief Electoral Commissioner of the Federation and Returning Officer for the presidential election are onerous enough for him to even contemplate straying into extraneous matters at variance with the law, morality and his personal principles.

“The chairman will continue to discharge his responsibilities without affection for, or ill will against, any political party or candidate.”