The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party (LP), and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have jointly called for the resignation of Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC). During a press conference held on Tuesday in Abuja, representatives from the three parties alleged that the February 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections were plagued by violence, rigging, and voter intimidation. They demanded the organization of fresh elections to restore the integrity of the electoral process.
The parties expressed their concerns, stating, “We are therefore constrained by this development to state that INEC compromised the integrity of this election even before collation commenced at the polling units.” They referenced Section 60, sub-section 5 of the Electoral Act, which mandates that the presiding officer must transfer the results, including the total number of accredited voters and ballot results, in accordance with the commission’s guidelines. They emphasized that any failure to adhere to these provisions necessitates that all results recently uploaded on the INEC Results Viewing (IReV) portal be updated before any announcements are made.
The opposition parties criticized INEC for failing to uphold its promises, declaring, “This election is not free and far from being fair and transparent.” They stated their intention to withdraw from the electoral process currently taking place at the National Collation Centre and demanded the immediate cancellation of what they described as a sham election. Furthermore, they insisted on conducting a fresh election in line with established INEC procedures.
Julius Abure, the National Chairman of the Labour Party, articulated the collective stance of the three opposition parties, urging Yakubu to step aside in favor of a “credible personality” from outside the commission to oversee the electoral process. This change, they argued, would help restore confidence among all stakeholders, including the international community, in the democratic process and its institutions. Abure emphasized their responsibility to the millions of Nigerians who have placed their trust in them and their presidential candidates, stating, “We must defend our country from the forces that seek to tear us apart.”
The parties also appealed to President Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) to honor his commitment to the Nigerian people by ensuring a legacy of free, fair, transparent, and credible elections. Abure remarked, “President Buhari, this is the time of great test of your integrity; use your office to save Nigeria from this electoral mismanagement and protect your legacy.” He called on all Nigerians to join their efforts in defending the country’s democracy. Present at the press briefing alongside Abure were Iyorchia Ayu, the National Chairman of the PDP, and Ralph Nwosu, the ADC counterpart.
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