APC senators allege plot by President Jonathan to remove Jega next week

Senators of the All Progressives Congress have accused President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party of plotting  to remove the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, next week. The APC senators said only dishonest politicians will want Jega to be removed. The senators who made the allegation at a briefing in abuja on Thursday said only dishonest politicians would want Jega to be removed. The  Minority Leader of the Senate, Senator Gorge Akume, in company with other APC senators, said they have received information from credible sources of the plan by the PDP-led administration to remove Jega next week. They however asserted that President Jonathan can only remove Jega with the support of two-third majority of the Senate. According to Akime,  “We have received information from a very credible source that next week, the Chairman of INEC will be given a letter from the office of the Head of the Civil Service directing him to proceed on terminal leave.” The Federal Government was trying to use the circular from the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, dated August 11, 2010 to place Jega on compulsory pre-retirement leave, Akume alleged. He said,  “Whether the letter emanates from the HOS office or the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, it does not make sense. “Even if we go by the terms of the civil service circular of the 11th of August, 2010, it is not applicable whatsoever to the INEC chairman.” Akume explained that the circular, with reference number HCSF/CMO/1772/TI/11, was talking about clarifications on pre-retirement leave, which is only applicable to tenured officers who are career civil servants. He said anyone who had spent 30 years in service or had attained 60 years of age is bound to disengage officially from the service but that the case of Jega as a public servant with definite tenure of office is different.