By Leo Sobechi, Deputy Politics Editor, Abuja
A chieftain of Labour Party (LP), Dr. Alex Obiechina, has decried the current socio-economic suspense in Nigeria after the general elections, calling for urgent reforms in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He blamed Chairman of the electoral body, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, for the unease in the polity, lamenting that instead of apologising to Nigerians for betraying their hopes and aspirations, the don and his organisation are bold in approaching the tribunal to defend their ‘abysmal’ conduct.
While expressing hope that the judiciary will rise up to the occasion, Obiechina urged the National Assembly to ponder reforming the electoral umpire, especially on the qualifications and appointment of its helmsman.
The politician said Yakubu’s refusal to review complaints relating to infractions during collation of presidential results and his hasty announcement of the outcome invested helplessness on the judiciary.
Obiechina, who served as spokesperson of North, South and Middle Belt Support Groups for Obi-Datti (NSMBSG4O), contended that the issues of failed transmission of polling unit level results to INEC server and mutilation of results sheets were enough red flags to halt further action on collation.
He said when taken together and with benefit of insight, Yakubu’s actions gave the “obvious sad impression that he sacrificed the expected constitutional independence of the electoral body on altar of partisanship.”
Obiechina stated: “You found that instead of asserting the independence of INEC, the INEC chairman became aloof in such a manner that suggested that he was favourably disposed to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Prof. Yakubu may not be a card-bearing member of APC, but his body language all through the presidential and national elections gave him out as an APC apologist.”
The stakeholder, who is also a former governorship aspirant in Enugu State, said despite efforts by desperate politicians and unscrupulous electoral officials to destroy the incremental reform in the electoral system, there is still hope that a new Nigeria is possible.
Source: The Guardian
