By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has outrightly
rejected the call by three opposition political parties, the Labour Party (LP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to resign
describing the call as misplaced and irresponsible.
The Commission also said the allegation by Senator Dino Melaye that the INEC chairman allocated scores to political parties during the ongoing collation of 2023 presidential election results, was unfounded and irresponsible.
Recall that the three parties had earlier on Tuesday at a second press conference in 24 hours in Abuja passed a Vote of No Confidence on the INEC Chairman
and even called for his resignation.
But, reacting to the resignation call, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, has in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, said contrary to the insinuations by the political parties, election results emanating from the states of the Federation were free, fair and credible.
Said he: “There are laid down procedures for aggrieved parties or candidates to follow when they are dissatisfied about the outcome of an election.
“Such procedures do not include calling on the INEC Chairman to resign or for the election to be cancelled.
“To be sure, aggrieved parties are free to approach the courts to ventilate their concerns and wait for the matter to be resolved. Making inciting comments capable of causing violence or unrest is unacceptable.”
He noted that the 2023 general election processes were in their final stages of completion.
“It is only fair for aggrieved parties to allow the conclusion of the process and approach the courts with their evidence to pursue their cases,” he added.
