A chieftain of the New Nigeria People’s Party, (NNPP), Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be transparent in its conduct of the two off-cycle elections in Edo and Ondo States, noting that its conduct will be a pointer to what to expect in the 2027 general elections.
Ajadi who was the Ogun State NNPP gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 general elections, advised the electoral umpire to put the utmost premium on its integrity and conduct the two elections well to buoy the people’s interest in the next general elections, adding that: “this will boost Nigerians’ confidence in the 2027 general elections”.
In a statement made available to New Telegraph on Sunday, Ajadi said INEC needs to convince all Nigerians about its independence with the two off-cycle elections, stressing that: “INEC’s conduct in the two off-cycle elections in Edo and Ondo States will be a pointer to what to expect in 2027 general elections.
“I am therefore counselling our electoral umpire to let the results in the two elections reflect the actual decisions of the electorate. INEC should showcase its independence like its name suggests. If the conduct and the results of the two elections fail to reflect people’s wishes, then the country is doomed.
“The bad conduct of the two elections may set the country on fire as those who are looking forward to using the 2027 general elections to remove those not doing well in governments at different levels, will feel disillusioned.
“God forbid. INEC should not dash people’s hope. Professor Mahmood Yakubu should write his name in gold with a good performance in the two elections.
“A situation where the courts upturned the results of our elections is not the best. INEC should wear transparent apparel and display honesty and diligence in the conduct of off-cycle elections as this would boost its image.
“I also implore the National Assembly to approve enough resources for INEC to succeed and get prepared for the 2027 elections”, Ajadi stressed.