Punch Newspapers claim that reliable sources have told them that the Chairman of the Independent will soon be asked to proceed on a terminal leave, and that four persons have been shortlisted as potential candidates who will take over from Jega.
The four persons who were mentioned are Dr. Mohammed Wali from Sokoto State, Mrs. Amina Zakari from Jigawa State, Colonel Mohammed Kurmi Hammanga (rtd.) from Adamawa State and Dr. Ishmael Igbani from Rivers State.
The four are presently INEC commissioners.
The sources claim that Prof. Femi Mimiko, brother of the Governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko who was earlier favoured when the removal of the Jega was first tinkered is no longer in contention because appointing an ‘outsider’ could disrupt preparations for the elections which has reached an advanced stage.
Government is yet to make a final decision on who to announce because those who are behind the removal of Jega have not reached a consensus on whether to appoint the acting chairman from the North-West, where Jega hails from or to take the post to another zone.
It was learnt that Wali and Zakari were shortlisted because they hailed from the North-West.
Igbani and Hammanga were included on the list because of the argument among some top government officials that the INEC chairmanship should not be subjected to the principle of zoning.
The newspaper claiming information on good authority also insinuated that the Secretary to the Governement has already written the letter asking Jega to proceed on leave.
This latest report if true is in contrast to the thoughts echoed by President Goodluck Jonathan at a media chat on February 11 where he said he will not sack Jega.