Youth Leaders Decry Campaign of Calumny against INEC Nat’l Commissioner, Pass Confidence Vote on Amupitan, Ukeagu

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Enugu


The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) has vehemently condemned “a desperate campaign of calumny” being waged against the INEC National Commissioner representing Imo, Anambra and Ebonyi States, Dr. Ken Nnamdi Ukeagu.

A group that holds itself as Pan-Igbo Youth Assembly(PIYA) had during a press conference Monday at Owerri, Imo State called for the removal of Ukeagu over alleged partisanship and leakage of sensitive INEC information.

It is believed that Ukeagu is being attacked by an interest group in the ongoing tussle for the Imo West senatorial ticket between Governor Hope Uzodimma and former Governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha.

But COSEYL, which described itself as the apex sociopolitical youth leadership organisation in the South East geopolitical zone, slammed the PIYA spokesman, Noble Nkem Regius and his cohorts for disparaging the INEC National Commissioner, with wild and baseless allegations.

In a statement signed by the its President General, Comrade Goodluck Ibem and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Okey Nwaoru, COSEYL warned PIYA to desist from dancing to the tune of its sponsors by smearing the image of INEC officials.

COSEYL said that it considered it necessary to put the records straight “in the overriding interest of public enlightenment, institutional credibility and the need to prevent unsuspecting members of the public from being misled by sensational political narratives.”

It stated, “Let it be unequivocally stated that Dr. Ken Nnamdi Ukeagu is a man of integrity, impeccable character and uncommon professional discipline. His reputation has been built over the years through consistency, principled conduct and an unwavering commitment to doing what is right.

“He is not an individual who would mortgage his integrity, compromise his professional responsibilities or jeopardise a hard-earned reputation for transient political interests or personal gratification.

“Those who genuinely know Dr. Ukeagu understand that he is not a man who can be bought, intimidated, manipulated or compromised, regardless of the inducements dangled before him.

“His greatest strength is his principled disposition and his determination to maintain his integrity even when doing so may be inconvenient to powerful interests.”

The youth leaders insinuated that “the real offence” of Dr. Ukeagu was that “he has refused to become available for political manipulation”.

They wondered if Ukeagu’s “refusal to surrender his conscience to the highest bidder is now being interpreted as an inconvenience by those who may have expected otherwise.”

However, COSEYL vowed that it “will not sit idly by while an individual whose character and professional standing deserve respect is subjected to trial by media, political innuendo and orchestrated public condemnation.”

“We find it particularly disturbing that serious allegations bordering on the alleged leakage of confidential electoral documents, partisan associations and electoral consultancy arrangements are being circulated in the public domain as though they have already been established as facts.

“In a democracy governed by the rule of law, allegations must be substantiated, evidence must be presented, and every individual is entitled to the presumption of innocence and a fair opportunity to respond,” COSEYL said.

The group passed a vote of confidence on the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, the embattled INEC National Commissioner, saying “We stand with INEC. We stand with Professor Joash Amupitan. We stand with Dr. Ken Nnamdi Ukeagu.”

Nonetheless, COSEYL expained that “our support for the Commission is not a blank cheque. It is a principled expression of confidence in its constitutional mandate and its leadership, accompanied by our expectation that every official will continue to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.”

It warned that if the attacks on INEC integrity continues it would be compelled to organise solidarity rallies across the five South East states and Abuja in support of INEC’s leadership and preparations for credible 2027 general elections.

“We believe that the credibility of the 2027 General Elections must be protected through strong institutions, responsible leadership and the professional independence of electoral officials.

“No amount of political hostility should be permitted to undermine the confidence of Nigerians in an institution whose constitutional mandate is central to our democracy,” COSEYL said.