By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
Apparently disturbed by the persistent rumours making the rounds of the alleged plots to tamper with the leadership of the electoral umpire, the National Chairman of Inter- Party Advisory Council (IPAC), an umbrella body of the 18 registered political parties in Nigeria, has urged the Commission not to bow to the antics of political detractors.
IPAC has also thrown its weight behind the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, saying that the group after seeing through the determination and zeal of the Commission to sustain and enthrone a free, fair and credible atmosphere for a successful general election, is confident that the electoral management body will live up to expectations.
Speaking through IPAC Chairman Engr. Yabagi Yusuf Sani at the 3rd Quarterly Meeting of Chairmen and Leaders of Political Parties in Nigeria at INEC Conference Room, Abuja on Wednesday, the Council said it is alarmed by the vicious attacks on the Commission especially on its leadership, noting that all efforts by the agents of violence and campaign of calumny by political detractors have all pale into insignificance.
He reiterated the continued commitment of IPAC to the longstanding cooperation and mutually beneficial relationship between it and the INEC adding that this occasion is to also reaffirm the confidence of IPAC in the leadership of INEC for its consistent demonstration of diligence, uncommon zeal and patriotism in the pursuit of the agency’s statutory mandate.
According to Sani; ” On the basis of our evaluation that INEC has been well on track, the leadership of IPAC additionally, wishes to use this occasion to condemn the emerging antics and smear campaign by certain shadowy and cowardly figures who clearly have embarked on the treacherous and unpatriotic conspiracy of reversing the outstanding landmarks, the INEC has recorded in recent years in the annals of the nation’s electoral history”.
”To us in IPAC, the real object of the darts of venom being directed at the person of the Chairman and the institution of the INEC are merely a decoy. The real target of the machinations is the circumvention of the deployment of the Biomodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, the Electronic Transfer of results and the other security devices INEC has deftly and painstakingly put in place to enhance the integrity of the electoral process”.
”The spurious allegations they are orchestrating especially in the online platforms are part of the strategies to prepare the grounds for their planned onslaught to achieve their nefarious goal within legal frameworks.
“It is also aimed at blackmailing and intimidating Professor Mahmood Yakubu to surrender by compromising the stance of the Commission on the strident, airtight security measures against the maladies of rigging and other electoral malpractices that had perennially tarnished the integrity of elections in the country in the past”, he said.
Sani said IPAC believes that the detractors will not have their way no matter their desperation and whatever their pranks and machinations are, reiterating that the use of technology in the conduct of elections in Nigeria has become sacrosanct and fait accompli.
Said he: “Every player in the country’s power game must come to terms with the new reality that, they can no longer rig elections brazenly and with impunity”.
“Mr Chairman Sir, you can count on the usual support of IPAC, and as it is, the goodwill and backing of most citizens of the country in the present circumstance. We urge you to remain steadfast and strong in the consciousness that, you have your hard-earned reputation to protect; that the eyes of the entire nation and indeed, the wider global community are keenly focused on you.
” At the end of the day, your choice on the issues currently at stake will go far in defining your legacy, long after our generation. In other words, history beckons on you. May the Almighty God guide and provide you with the needed strength and wisdom to wither the storm, Amin.
“Mr Chairman, the IPAC will also want to use this occasion to express concern on the emerging negative signals against peaceful, credible conduct of the 2023′ general elections. These include the brazen breach of the provisions of the Electoral Act and other extant laws on the use of money with impunity, during the last off-season governorship elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states.
” Also, IPAC leadership has also noted the spikes in the use of divisive languages and hate speeches by several chieftains and spokespersons of some of the political parties in the mass media and at political rallies. We want to assure you that the reprehensible, irresponsible and reckless utterances which are already heating up the polity with the potential of leading to the even more dangerous dimension of igniting mutual hate, animosity and violence along the nation’s existing tenuous fault lines is being addressed by IPAC.
“Sooner than later, our effort in ensuring decency and issue-based campaigns will manifest in the conduct of our members; the political registered parties. candidates and their spokespersons.
” To deepen the roots of democracy and good governance, violence in all its ramifications must be uprooted from the political space. We are in this regard, calling on the nation’s security agencies and other relevant bodies to, gear up in the performance of their statutory responsibilities professionally and objectively”, the group said.
