The reappointment of the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu was aided by large sum of money paid by senator Mohammed Sani Musa, an INEC contractor and a serving senator from Niger State – who is responsible for the printing of INEC ballot papers used for elections under a company (Activate Technologies) says Sahara Reporters
Recently, The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari’ (retd.), had requested the red chamber to screen and confirm Yakubu for the fresh appointment.
The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, at plenary, gave the Senator Kabiru Gaya-led INEC panel to screen Yakubu along with another nominee, Professor Abdullahi Abdu Zuru who has been appointment as National Commissioner in the agency.
Recall that the red chamber had received a request from Buhari to confirm Yakubu, for a second and final term in office.
The request was contained in a letter dated 21st October, 2020, and read on the floor by the President of the Senate.
But like many public officials favoured by the power blocs in Aso Rock Villa, Nigeria’s seat of power, he was immediately rewarded with another term of five years.
However, findings by Sahara Reporters have revealed that securing a second tenure in office didn’t come cheap for Prof Yakubu as he had to part ways with at least N3bn in bribes to have his tenure as INEC Chairman extended by another five years.
“He paid a princely sum of N2bn to a group led by Senate President Ahmed Lawan and another N1bn to another group.