Udora Orizu in Abuja
The members of the Action Alliance Party (AAP), yesterday stormed the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja to protest what they described as disregard for court orders by top officials of the electoral body.
The aggrieved members chanted solidarity songs and displayed placards with various inscriptions such as “INEC stop your rascality now,” “Judiciary save our democracy from INEC impunity,” “INEC must obey order of Justice Agbaza,” amongst others.
Speaking to representatives of the Chairman of the INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the National Chairman of the AAP, Mr. Kenneth Udeze, alleged that the INEC always preferred to choose the court order to obey even when it was obvious that favourable cases were always decided by the authentic party executive.
Udeze made reference to the case of the forthcoming Anambra Governorship election, and accused the INEC of ignoring favourable court rulings towards the party leadership while recognising the candidate of another faction of the party.
He vowed that the party would no longer tolerate any form of lawlessness from any officials of the electoral body.
Udeze said: “We implore you, to quickly intervene on this urgent matter, and resolve this anomaly by accepting our candidates (governorship and deputy governorship alike) as the authentic flag bearers for the Anambra State Governorship. Your commission out of over zealousness and lawlessness refused to give effects to the orders and findings of courts of competent jurisdiction because it is compromised through some of your staff, who must be made to declare truly their interest in Action Alliance and the reason to destroy our party.
“You will agree with us that Action Alliance has supported your tenure as INEC Chairman, as our party through its National Chairman, Mr. Kenneth Udeze, publicly and copiously supported your administration as INEC Chairman, pre and post 2019 general election. We are left with no option than to assist you do your job as it has become obvious that there are some external forces that are blackmailing INEC from doing the needful. Sir, an important component in a political system is leadership, and an institution such as INEC is expected to deliver credible and uncompromising stance to all political parties.”
He called on the National Assembly Committees on the INEC to properly carry out its oversight function to expose INEC’s officials who are allegedly collaborating with external forces to destroy political parties.
He said: “It is worthy that the National Assembly Committee on INEC should rise up to their legitimate responsibility of oversight in the activities of INEC, especially as it concerns some compromised staff of this commission with a view to unknot the avoidable causes of pre-election cases by recalcitrant political parties that work in connivance with INEC staff. This is necessary, to support most of the credible staff of the commission, who understand the dynamics of working within the ambits of the law, to manage and spend the financial appropriation made in its favour, for the overall benefits of the masses and tax payers.
“We advise, though humbly too, that you investigate and remedy these anomalies, and if you so wish; permit us as a party, we can help to unravel part of the mystery behind this Impunity and other inimical activities going on in your office. A situation where the commission will be comfortable to ignore relevant court judgment is not encouraging, and also, some other uncomplimentary activities, which are tarnishing your image, must be investigated and dealt with urgently.”
