The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and African Democratic Congress (ADC) jointly called for the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, to resign. The parties held a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja, alleging that the presidential and National Assembly elections held in February 2023 were marred by violence, rigging, and voter intimidation. They demanded fresh elections be conducted.
According to the parties, INEC compromised the election’s integrity even before collation began at the polling units, violating Section 60 sub-section 5 of the Electoral Act. The act stipulates that the presiding officer must transfer the results, including the total number of accredited voters and the ballot results, as prescribed by the commission.
Failure to comply with the Electoral Act and guidelines means that all recently uploaded results on the IReV portal must be updated before they are announced. The parties accused INEC of going back on this promise and stated that the election was neither free nor fair, lacking transparency.
“We refuse to participate in the ongoing electoral process at the National Collation Centre and demand the immediate cancellation of this fraudulent election. We also demand a fresh election to be conducted in accordance with the laid-down procedures of INEC,” said Julius Abure, the National Chairman of the Labour Party, speaking on behalf of the three opposition parties.
The parties have requested that INEC Chairman, Yakubu, step aside for a credible individual outside the commission to take over his role and oversee the process. This will ensure that all stakeholders have confidence in the democratic process and institutions.
Abure emphasized the parties’ responsibility to defend the country from forces seeking to divide it, and called on President Buhari to keep his promise to Nigerians to leave a legacy of a free, fair, transparent and credible election.
He urged Nigerians to join them in defending democracy, and added that the press briefing was attended by Iyorchia Ayu, the National Chairman of the PDP, and Ralph Nwosu, the ADC counterpart.
Credit: PUNCH