‘We need to remind the electoral body also that it is its basic responsibility to ensure that what is needed before and in an Election Day is to make adequate arrangements without excuses’
By Valentine Amanze
The Obi-Datti Media group of the Labour Party (LP) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari, and the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmoud Yakubu, to keep to their assurances of free, fair and credible elections in 2023.
The Obi-Datti group, in a statement on Thursday, pointed out that a free and fair election in 2023 remained the only path for the growth of democracy in and for the political stability needed for Nigeria’s development.
Apparently, the group was reacting to the assurance Buhari made during a courtesy call at the palace of the Gbong Gwom of Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, on Tuesday.
The president had said, “No election winner will be denied his mandate, irrespective of the party to which he belonged.”
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Also, in a letter to Nigerians to mark 100 days to the Presidential election on February 25 2023, INEC boss, Yakubu, said, “Once again, another General Election is upon us, the 7th since the restoration of democracy in Nigeria in 1999. Over the last 23 years, we have made a steady progress in the twin areas of electoral reform and election administration.
“Although a lot of work still lies ahead, it is generally acknowledged that our elections are getting better and citizens’ confidence in the process is increasing.
“As I have said repeatedly, the Commission’s allegiance is to Nigeria. Our loyalty is to Nigerians who want free, fair, credible and verifiable elections supported by technology, which guarantees transparent accreditation and upload of polling unit results for citizens to view in real-time on election day.
“It is for these reasons that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) were introduced. There is no going back on the deployment of BVAS and IReV for the 2023 General Election.”
Obi-Datti Media group while acknowledging the verbal commitment, urged them to put their words into action by showing in their deeds and actions that they mean what they say by actively doing it.
“The Obidient Movement is saying loudly that the President and the INEC should put into practice what they are preaching as it’s the only way to take Nigeria out of the woods.
“We need to remind the electoral body also that it is its basic responsibility to ensure that what is needed before and in an Election Day is to make adequate arrangements without excuses,” the group stated.
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