By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
The rumoured twin plot to remove the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the 2023 general election and also abandon the use of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) by the electoral umpire have been described as the most uncharitable allegation against the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, also described the group that is in the forefront of spreading the misinformation as purveyors of bad news who are plotting to destabilise the smooth process of free, fair and credible elections in 2023.
Adesina who spoke at the 2022 International Day to End Impunity for Crime Against Journalists with the theme: ‘Media, Civil Society and Violence-free Election in Nigeria’ organised by the Office of Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, at Treasures Suites and Conferences in Abuja on Tuesday, dismissed the allegations with a wave of the hand.
According to him there are no iota of truth in the allegations in the public place perpetuated by some unpatriotic political groups that there are plans to remove the INEC Chairman and abandon the use of technology for the conduct of the 2023 general election.
Said he: “the rumours that there are plans to remove the INEC Chairman is the most ridiculous allegations in the recent time. It is unfortunate that a group of unpatriotic Nigerians will be going about shouting on top of their voice about a plot to remove the Chairman of INEC when there are no indications to that effect.
“It’s on record that President Muhammadu Buhari is an Apostle of the use of technology to deepen the country’s democracy having benefited from the use of Card Readers which made it possible for him not to be rigged out again in 2015 presidential election after being rigged out many times”.
Speaking further, the Presidential Spokesman said with every authority that neither the INEC Chairman nor the BVAS will be stopped from performing the duties with which they are deployed, pointing out that President Buhari is favourably disposed to ensure that the electoral umpire exercises its full constitutional role of delivery of free, fair, credible inclusive elections in 2023.
Prompt News Online recalls that the Conference of United Political Parties (CUPP) led by one Barrister Ikenga Ugochinyere had last month raised alarm that the group had “a credible intelligence” that there are plans to remove the Chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu and replace him with a government apologist before the 2023 general election.
They also alleged that the much-needed use of technology especially BVAS to conduct a free and fair elections in 2023 will be expunged from the 2022 Electoral Act.
