By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
With few weeks to the 2023 General Elections, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu has assured the delegation of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), the Commission is fully prepared to conduct a free, fair, credible and inclusive elections this year.
This is even as he affirmed that the Commission would ensure no Nigerian is disadvantaged in collecting their Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) hence he again called on Nigerians to as a matter of urgency use the extension of time to collect their PVCs.
Yakubu spoke while playing host to the visiting President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of IFES, Mr. Anthony N. Banbury and his delegation which include former Chairman of INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega during a courtesy call on Monday at Conference Room, INEC headquarters in Abuja.
The INEC Chairman told his guests that the Commission decided to extend the Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) collection in all its Local Government Offices nationwide by an additional one week so that as many Nigerians as possible collected their cards to ensure that the 2023 general election is free, fair and credible.
Said he: “We appreciate IFES support and partnership with the Commission since 24 years now and we are committed to free, fair and credible elections come February 25.
“Also, this coming Saturday 4th February 2023, We are going to conduct a mock accreditation of voters in the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) Abuja, in 436 polling units nationwide.
“As you are aware, we have exactly four weeks to the opening of polls on Saturday 25th February 2023 for the Presidential and National Assembly elections to be followed two weeks later by the Governorship and State Assembly elections on Saturday 11th March 2023.
“I am glad to report that movement of materials for the election to various locations nationwide is being concluded. Training of officials will commence shortly. Ongoing consultations with stakeholders will be intensified.
“Airlifting and delivery of sensitive materials to States of the Federation has gone far. Accreditation of National and International Observers and the Media is being finalized.
“Critical service providers in the area of transportation have reassured us of their commitment to efficient logistics for the movement of materials and personnel to various locations while the security agencies have reaffirmed their readiness for the election. INEC will be meeting again on Tuesday in Abuja with the leadership of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW)”, he said.
Speaking further an elated Yakubu disclosed that the Commission has implemented 12 out of 14 Activities of the 2023 General Election, pointing out that the remaining two Activities will happen on election days.
“We have made appreciable progress in the deployment of electoral materials
We are good to go. INEC is favourably disposed to conduct free, fair, credible and inclusive elections”, Yakubu assured.
Earlier in his speech, the President and CEO of IFES, Anthony Banbury was of the opinion that in 2023, the work of INEC and the actions of the voters in Nigeria would constitute the most significant election in the history of the world.
According to him, the people of Nigeria with the leadership of the Commission have made an important strides in strengthening consolidation of democracy and Electroal integrity throughout the country.
According to Banbury, “Nigeria’s leadership in Africa and in the world is indeed a source of inspiration to the struggling democracies especially in the West African sub region hence the interest of the international community.
He noted that IFES is in INEC to pay its respect to the Commission for their tremendous work to conven a strong commitment to its continue partnership and honored to be able to support INEC in fulfilments of their tremendous, important and responsibilities.
“When one looked at the record from the technical perspective of what Nigeria has accomplished in strengthening democracy since the 1999 constitution, is very significant and their are few countries who can point such record of achievement in the field of democracy and Electroal integrity.
“What happens in this country has impacted struggle of democracy throughout the country and indeed every region of the world.
“This is a sign of commitment that IFES has in the partnership that it enjoys with INEC. IFES has been working Nigeria in support of INEC efforts since adoption of the 1999 constitution and in that period of time.
“We have enjoyed so much partnership and learned so much from all of you, even when we try to bring all our perspective on issues and some technical expertise on election, we know that every day, we learn from you in whatever you can contribute in your work.
“Professor Yakubu, l want to congratulate you in making tremendous strides in a very short period of time in further strengthening democracy in this country.
“To answer your question on why we are here to visit, is to come and pay our respect to the Professor Yakubu for your tremendous work you have done to conven a very strong commitment to continue partnership.
Now, through the election and beyond, we all know that there will be much work after February elections and IFES being in Nigeria now, going to 24 years, we are committed to staying as long as you consider it, to be helpful to the work of the commission.
“We are also here to learn how IFES can do better work to support the effort of the commission in fulfilments of your broad and challenging responsibility.
“We are here to do everything we possibly can to support your effort again in carrying out the extremely, challenging, difficulty, crucial and important responsibility you have come February 2023 general elections”, he stressed
