The attention of the Citizens Centre for Democratic Governance (CCDG) has been drawn to the public statement credited to the PDP, where the National Publicity Secretary of the party alleged, that there is a plot and ongoing arrangement between the APC and Mrs.Amina Zakari of INEC, through the help of two other top INEC officials namely: Mr. Abdulrasaq Agboola and Mr. Paschal Uwakwe to rig the Ekiti gubernatorial election.
Recall that Kayode Fayemi has also issued a statement through Bamidele Faparusi the Deputy Director-General (South) of Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organization, accusing Fayose of sharing apartment with Ishaku Abbo, a former INEC big shot working with Egharevba John, Festus Aisien, Igidiogu Kelechi and Abbo who are currently in active service with INEC to rig the poll.
This accusations and counter-accusations are surely political plots and tactics by both the PDP and the APC to outdo one another, in a quest to win the election. However, we maintain that dragging the electoral umpire into their current showdown is unwise and should be stopped with immediate effect. The PDP has definitely not educated itself enough on how INEC intends to use technology to collate the election results; else it will not make such a frivolous claim of preloading the card reader with false results. Also, we do not think that both the APC and PDP are ignorant of the fact that sensitive materials such as form EC8A is safely kept in the bank and will only be distributed on Election Day. The general public should disregard the claims made by the duo, as all sensitive and non-sensitive materials are secured and has not been compromised in any way.
All political parties involved in the Ekiti election have nothing to fear, as INEC under the purposeful and focused leadership of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu is not, and will never be helpless because he knows his onion and has proven that overtime. Moreover, the way and manner which the election is going to be conducted is not too different from what we have had except for the E-collation. Votes will still be counted manually in polling units and manual collations can still be done by political parties who may want to do so. Again, elections observers exist to note all irregularities and consequently give a feedback which will be contained in a report for all to see.
It is regrettable how our politicians and political parties have resorted to finger pointing and careless manipulation of figures to polish their lies, but we can obviously see the hand writings boldly written on the wall. It is no longer news that political parties usually have moles in the INEC but let it be known that all of such persons will be fished out and made to face the wrath of the law. We call on all members of all political parties involved to maintain decorum and good standard during this period. INEC has been open enough in all the process involved in the Ekiti gubernatorial election. Therefore, politicians should leave INEC alone and concentrate on winning the election through rigorous people oriented campaign.
– Anthony Osagbemi
Coordinator
Citizens Centre for Democratic Governance (CCDG), Nigeria.
