By Kayode Adeoti
Last week, the appointment of the Chairman, Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWSIEC), Dr Uthman Ajidagba as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Commissioner was confirmed by the Senate.
Ajidagba’s appointment has however created a vacuum in the state electoral commission which as a matter of necessity, must be filled.
The development has however generated concerns in the state polity even as some political groups are agitating the immediate replacement of the new INEC Resident Commissioner.
Who replaces Ajidagba?
A source close to the commission who does not want his name mentioned because of the sensitivity of the matter reliably told this medium that no fewer than five electoral commissioners are qualified to seize the leadership mantle.
The source further fingered the head of administration in the commission, Abdulrauf Ajao as the likely successor of Ajidagba.
Given reason to the choice of Ajao, “He has being the one working closely with the former chairman. He had even represented him on many occasions though that does not automatically qualify him for the seat.
“If the appointment will follow hierarchical order, I can say, he may be the one, many people have come to love his person as well, he’s very active always doing something,” the source divulged.
Other probable successors are; the former commission boss; Magistrate Akinlami Oguntoye, and the head of Legal Unit, A. T Ahmed.
However, another source who spoke on condition of anonymity stated that, “Government will not want to appoint anyone for now, though if need be, it may appoint one of the commissioner in acting capacity because of some inconclusive elections during the last council poll.
“Ajao will likely be given the slot giving his rank in the commission. Tenure of the serving executives will lapse by May, that is when we can talk of new appointment,” it stressed.
Speaking on the issue last night, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed on Media and Communications, Dr. Muideen Femi Akorede stated that the state government will adhere strictly to the laid down rules in respect of Ajidagba’s successor.
“I am unaware of this agitation. However, there are established procedures and guidelines for appointing Chairman for KWSIEC. The government will abide by them in appointing the next one,” Akorede said.
Recall that Ajidagba who presided over the last local government election in the state is into his second tenure of three years before his recent appointment.
