Daniel Agbolade, Ibadan

Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, has kicked against the call for the resignation of National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr. Mahmood Yakubu by National Chairman of ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Adams Oshiomole, over postponement of the general election, stating that it is unfair and unacceptable.

The Minister who spoke with journalists in Ibadan, said if INEC chairman resigns, it may affect conduct of the rescheduled general elections on Saturday, quering "would Oshiomole have agreed to resign if called upon when he supervised the worst primary elections of APC?"

It would be recalled that Oshiomole had on Saturday while reacting to the postponement of the general elections by INEC called for the resignation of Yakubu, stating that the commission under his leadership had failed Nigerians. 

But Shittu however urged Nigerians to give INEC chairman benefit of the doubt, noting that even if he resigns, the election may need to be postponed for the new incoming chairman to prepare for fresh elections.

He said, "I will not support such call for resignation of INEC chairman. To err is human. We have not seen any political motivation as to what has happened in INEC. If Oshiomolhe calls for resignation of INEC chairman, he should also be preparing to resign as chairman. Did anybody ask him to resign for the horrible management of primary elections under his watch?

"This is the first election that Yakubu will be conducting, so we need to give him benefit of the doubt and I will advise that all the political parties should  be vigilant. If you bring in another chairman, when does such person begin to learn the process? Or will you on the bases of that call for another rescheduling of the elections? 

"Certainly, it is unacceptable for anyone to ask for resignation of INEC chairman."