Governors on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have expressed lack of confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which they claim is working for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
This was contained in a communique issued at the end of its emergency meeting in Abuja, yesterday, signed by the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose.
“For now, we have no confidence in INEC.
“The commission has conducted itself as a tool of the APC-led Federal Government, especially with the roles of the Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and a National Commissioner, Mrs. Amina Zakari,” they said.
The governors also condemned the failure of President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the Electoral Act amendment bill passed recently by the National Assembly.
According to them, “the decision of President Buhari to withhold assent to the new electoral law is an indication that he and the ruling APC were afraid of the introduction of technology into the electoral system.”
However, INEC has reacted to the accusation coming from the PDP governors with claims that Nigerians believe in their ability to hold a credible and fair election.
The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, said, “Since the inauguration of the current leadership of INEC in November 2015, the commission has been putting various measures in place to improve and strengthen the electoral process. And in doing so, the commission has also carried all stakeholders along. Not only that, by putting all our cards on the table at all times, INEC has continually demonstrated integrity, transparency and efficiency. The efforts are paying off.
“Only on August 31, the commission brought the Continuous Voter Registration to a close after registering 14.5 million voters in 16 months. The commission has also conducted about 190 different types of elections, including six governorship elections, none of which has been overturned.
“From the feedback we are getting from Nigerians, they are appreciative of our efforts and our pledge is that we will deliver free, fair and credible 2019 general elections.”
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