The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, is under security watch over allegations that he leased his personal apartments in Abuja to the Commission and that some of his principal aides could pose a threat to national security, Leadership reports.
According to the information that has become available to Leadership, Jega is being closely monitored by security officials. Under special scrutiny is said to be the funding of the activities of INEC outside of its budget and the breach of extant civil service regulations of staff accommodation.
It was learnt, that the Presidency, was not happy with the recent registration of two opposition political parties, the All Progressive Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) by INEC. Now, everything government has against Jega, is being made public and can affect his fate as the INEC Chairman.
The security agencies have started investigation of the alleged monthly payment of the sum of N1 million to five aides of the INEC Chairman by the United Nations Development Project (UNDP), the Leadership reports. The aides are his chief of staff, special assistant, personal assistant, chief technical adviser and chief press secretary. This development, it was learnt, is considered a security risk to the nation.
Jega is believed to be investigated over a range of other issues.
INEC Chief is being investigated for reportedly leasing his personal apartments in highbrow Maitama District of Abuja to INEC as its guest house, where the Chairman’s five personal aides live. The security agencies are also believed to be looking into the alleged renting of Jega's another personal properties to the Commission as INEC office at Wuse 2, Abuja. Besides, Jega is also being scrutinized over retaining and hiring a Kenyan ICT consultant, a development that security agencies see as having the potential to undermine national security.
“The action jeopardises national security both in electoral matters and related ones as voters and candidates as well as political parties’ details would be in the domain of a foreign company which can employ them for any use,” Leadership's source said.
Leadership has made several unsuccessful attempts to receive comments from INEC about the issue.
Paradoxically, not long ago Jega claimed that no official of the Commission was immune to the prosecution if they were found wanting, as regards electoral malpractices.
It will be reminded that Jega was appointed as the Chairman of INEC in June 2010.
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