I am not Buhari’s in-law – Zakari

The Acting Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Mrs. Aminat Zakari, has said that the commission is awaiting reports of the police investigations into bribery allegations against some resident electoral commissioners and other staff of the commission.

Acting Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Mrs. Aminat Zakari

Zakari, who disclosed this in an interview with Saturday PUNCH in Abuja on Friday, said INEC was waiting for security agents to provide tangible evidence against those involved.

The acting INEC Chairman, who said she had the capacity to be substantive INEC Chairman despite being a woman, denied claims that she is President Muhammadu Buhari’s in-law.

Zakari confirmed that security agents and INEC had received petitions against some RECs, but refused to give the number and identities of the commissioners involved.

Reacting to bribery allegations against some RECs, she stated, “Everybody makes allegations about bribery, or about somebody being bribed. Anybody can make the allegation, unless it’s proven by the security agencies or the court, INEC does not take action.

Speaking on those that had been picked up by the security agencies, he stated, “Unless they (security agencies) give us anything in writing, we just leave it as it is until their investigations are over.”

Zakari, who dismissed an insinuation that she could not effectively perform as INEC Chairman because of her gender, said she was not desperate to retain the job in a substantive capacity.

She stated, “I am a human being first. I have the capacity. If I have the ability to do something and there are ways and means of achieving your targets. You don’t rely on your brain alone. You have other people to rely on. I have done administration. I have worked in organisations that demand accountability.”

The INEC acting chairman explained that she was not appointed commissioner in INEC by Buhari, adding that former President Goodluck Jonathan had appointed her.

“I can’t say the General (Buhari) is my in-law. I am not married to his son. My daughter is not married to him. That is what I understand about being an in-law, but obviously, in life, you have acquaintances, people you have known,” she said.

Adding that Buhari was not known for nepotism, she said, “God decides who becomes (a) leader; if God decides I would be the one to continue, I will have to do my best.”

She stated, “I did not lobby for it (acting chairmanship). I had packed all my things out of INEC; I wanted to leave on the 30th (of June).

“I was just called on my way home as the chairman (Jega) handed over to Ambassador Wali. When I was called that the Head of Service was looking for me and I said, ‘what for?’ and I just continued driving. I was by Bullet House by the time I got the call and I just continued driving.

She also disclosed that the commission had sent some staff from its headquarters to Rivers State to assist in sorting out documents demanded by the state electoral tribunal.

I am not Buhari’s in-law – Zakari