Nineveh Council ousts chairman

Shafaq News/ On Wednesday, the Nineveh Provincial Council voted to dismiss its chairman, Ahmed Al-Hasoud, following an interrogation session.

Nineveh Provincial Council member Abdullah Al-Nujaifi told Shafaq News that after Al-Hasoud’s fail to attend an official session without providing a legal excuse, 16 of the provincial council members voted in favor of his removal, adding that Al-Hasoud later held a press conference to justify his absence through the media — a move Al-Nujaifi described as “disregard for the council” and a refusal to formally defend himself before its members.

Al-Nujaifi explained that the session, from which Al-Hasoud was absent, was adjourned after the first round, and a second session was held, during which the vote to dismiss Al-Hasoud took place. He revealed that the session was intended for Al-Hasoud's interrogation, with 18 questions raised on various issues, including doubts about the authenticity of his academic credentials, alleged interference by security forces in the council's work, and several other administrative violations.

Earlier, sources in the council told Shafaq News that the interrogation request cited several documented legal violations against Al-Hasoud, including doubts over the authenticity of his academic qualifications, revealing that the bloc intended to question Al-Hasoud over his degree and its equivalency during the session.

Shafaq News also obtained official documents regarding Al-Hasoud’s academic credentials. The documents unveiled what were described as “serious academic irregularities,” showing that Al-Hasoud holds a doctoral degree in dentistry despite only possessing a high school diploma in the literary stream.

In November 2024, Iraq’s Ministry of Higher Education asked the University of Mosul to review his degree, which was ultimately rejected due to failure to meet academic requirements, including the necessary scientific background.

For his part, Al-Hasoud said in a statement that the interrogation session was marred by "serious legal violations," explaining that the procedures taken during the session contravened Law No. 21 of 2008 (as amended), as well as Article 30 of the council's internal regulations, which require that questions be delivered to the official under interrogation at least seven days before the session. The questions were filed with the council's records department on March 3, 2025, distributed to members on March 4, and the session was held the following day, March 5.

“These violations rendered the session's actions invalid both procedurally and substantively. Any decisions made during the session are unlawful and I will take all necessary legal measures to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations,” he concluded.

Regarding Al-Hasoud's eligibility to serve as chairman of the Nineveh Provincial Council, an official from the Nineveh Election Commission told Shafaq News that the commission has no role in selecting the council's chair or verifying his academic credentials.

The official explained that Iraq's Provincial Council Election Law allows parties or electoral lists to nominate up to 20% of their candidates with only a high school diploma or technical degree. However, the selection of the council’s chairman is considered an internal matter and falls outside the commission’s oversight.