Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose, yesterday said that President Goodluck Jonathan has the prerogative power to ask the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) Prof Attahiru Jega to proceed on terminal leave, saying members of All Progressive Congress (APC) who are opposed to this have their own agenda.

Fayose, who described the reactions of APC and their sympathisers as mere comedy, advised them to stop acting as if Nigeria belongs to the party.

According to a statement issued in Ado Ekiti and signed by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, the governor said that “removal of Jega and any other appointee of the Federal Government was a prerogative of the president, which no one can question, provided laid down rules are followed.

“President Goodluck Jonathan can sack Jega if he wishes and if he does, heavens will not fall…It is on record that Prof Maurice Iwu was asked to proceed on terminal leave two months to the end of his tenure Is Jega not a beneficiary of Iwu’s removal? So if Iwu was asked to go on terminal leave before the expiration of his tenure for Jega to assume office, what difference does it make if Jega too is asked to proceed on terminal leave before the expiration of his tenure?”

Fayose, who condemned members of APC for turning themselves into defenders of the INEC boss, urged Nigerians to watch their antics.

•Adapted from a Vanguard report. Photo shows Governor Fayose.