The attention of the Citizens Centre for Democratic Governance has been drawn to the inimical and evil attempt by the PDP to discredit the Prof. Mahmood led INEC, claiming that there is an attempt by the commission to connive with the APC via already “accredited 4000 APC members as independent observers for the July 14 and September 22 governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states respectively”, which they termed illegal; and a plot to manipulate the election outcome. To claim that there is a plot by INEC to manipulate election without providing evidence to support a gross allegation of this nature is not only second-rated, but also a careless plot to cause tension and chaos.
Since the return of democracy in 1999, Nigerians have watched closely at the activities of the PDP and how they have continuously infiltrated INEC with their members during elections of this nature. Little wonder, they think that the present leaderships of INEC may want to take the same approach.
Observing elections is a very important part of an election and most often than not, more than one organization is usually engaged to do so. The process of accreditation of observer groups is as transparent as the process of registration of political parties. Once a group or groups meet the criteria, INEC is under obligation to accredit them and the Prof. Mahmood led INEC has not gone contrary to the law on this. Observers merely observe election as their name implies, and have absolutely no role to play in the conduct of elections. They don’t touch sensitive and non sensitive materials, and they stay a distance from the active area where voting takes place. Perhaps, the PDP may want to educate us on how observers can rig elections since they are masters in that act.
The continuous wolf cry attitude been exhibited by the PDP in the name of call to order must stop. If the PDP cannot do anything to facilitate the process, it will be wrong and unfair to INEC if all they receive from PDP is process disruption. While we are aware of the fear the PDP is confront with, we remind them of the saying that “a head hunter does not take kindly to a cutlass wielding individual to go behind him”. We therefore assure PDP, that this INEC is not interested in who wins any election but to ensure that the process of electing anyone is credible.
An advice to PDP: Stop the wolf cry and focus on your political ground works in Ekiti and Osun state. Continuous fowl cry does not win elections; it is only voters that determine their leaders.
INEC exists for all party and also for all citizens. We must all believe in INEC to deliver elections that will be free and fair in accordance to the electoral laws of the land. We shall continue to resist any attempt by any person or group to put pressure on INEC. We call on civil society organizations; Religious bodies; and other political parties to rally round INEC and make sure that it is not be distracted.
– Anthony Oshagbemi
Citizens Centre for Democratic Governance
