INEC
Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has
distance itself from the claims by the leadership of the All
Progressive Congress (APC) that it is working for the opposition
party.
Besides, INEC said the exclusion of APC Zamfara was purely a
judicial matter and not a decision of the commission.
Reacting to the allegations raised by APC, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi,
the Chief Press Secretary to INEC chairman said there was no true
in the allegations.
Oyekanmi stressed that the Commission is not a political party
and does not have a candidate for the forthcoming general
elections.
He further stated that the commission responsibility is to
provide a level playing field for all registered political parties
and also conduct a free, fair and transparent election.
He stated, “It is not true that the Independent National
Electoral Commission is working hand in gloves with any political
party to do the wrong things. The issue of Zamfara and Rivers are
well known. In the case of Zamfara, the Commission had written to
the APC leadership to notify it that, due to its inability to
conduct its primaries in Zamfara State within the stipulated time
as required by law, the party cannot field candidates for the
governorship election. Thereafter, two cases were instituted in
court resulting in two rulings which were delivered the same day.
The Commission then adopted one of the rulings.
“In the case of Rivers, it was the Supreme Court that took a
final decision on the fate of APC. Therefore, both cases were
purely judicial and INEC, being a law abiding institution, will
always obey court orders/judgment.
“The Commission is not a political party and does not have a
candidate for the forthcoming general elections. Our duty is to
provide a level playing field for all registered political parties
and ensure that elections are conducted in a free, fair and
transparent manner.”