Politicians React To INEC’s Code Of Conduct

Mixed reactions have continued to trail INEC’s code of conduct for political parties on finance, campaign, election and post-election issues.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently released a code of conduct which is expected to be signed by the parties on Tuesday.

The code is aimed at ensuring credible elections in April, devoid of violence.

While some party chieftains told NAN on Tuesday in Lagos that the code was belated as some of its components were already being violated, others lauded the electoral body for coming up with the code.

Alhaji Umar Kumshe, National Chairman, KOWA Party, described the code as a welcome development, adding that it would regulate the conducts of political parties.

“Even though some parties have already violated the laws, it is a welcomed development and it will ensure that our democracy is more realistic,” he said.

Kumshe, however, said that his party had on Tuesday signed the code of conduct, urging other political parties to subscribe to it.

Similarly, Mr. Sam Onimisi, the National Secretary, Democratic Peoples Alliance (DPA), described the code as a good development.

“It is a very good development especially given the fact that the parties gave the code of conduct to themselves which means they are morally bound to go by it,” he said.

According to Onimisi, INEC has the authority to enforce any infraction of the code.

He noted that the code of conduct had been in existence since 2006, saying that INEC and the political parties only reviewed it.

“It is not a new thing actually. It has been in existence since 2006 and INEC and the political parties thought it will be wise to review it,” Onimisi said.

In his contribution, Mr. Damian Ogbonna, National Chairman, Peoples Progressive Party (PPP), criticised the code, saying it was of no significance to the political parties.

“The code of conduct is useless as far as I know because party chairmen are not taking it very seriously and it is not enforceable,” he said.

According to him, the code of conduct is more or less INEC playing to the gallery, saying it has no substance.

“So whether the parties sign it or do not sign it, it has no impact because it is useless,” Ogbonna told NAN.