Has Umeadi Just Found his Voice?

Daniel Elombah

Now that Maurice Iwu is gone, Has Umeadi Just Found his Voice?
Acting National Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, Mr. Philip Umeadi, said last night that the out-going National Chairman of the commission, Prof. Maurice Iwu, did not hand-over to him as directed by acting President Goodluck Jonathan, because Iwu was not comfortable with him as his acting successor.
Umeadi told THISDAY that he did not have a friendly relationship with Iwu while the later was still chairman because he (Umeadi) detested his methods.
“Iwu is not my friend. I did not let the public know this and I kept quiet because of the system we run,” he explained.
Reacting to speculations that there were plans that the out-going chairman may transfer power to National Commissioner for Operations, Mr. Solomon Soyebi, instead of him, he said: “How can Soyebi be made acting chairman? He was appointed national officer in August 2007 after his assignment as Resident Electoral Commissioner for Abia and Lagos States. I came in September 2006. The records are there for everyone to see. In any case, my assumption of office is a presidential directive,” he said.