13th July, 2023
By Emmanuel Oloniruha
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has described the call for its Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, over the outcome of the 2023 general election by Labour Party as illogical and ridiculous.
Labour Party had at a press conference addressed by the Director General, Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Council, Otunba Akin Osuntokun, on Thursday called for a forensic investigation into the expenditure of released budget and donour funds received by INEC for the 2023 general election.
The party said Nigerians deserved to get the details of how the funds were disbursed. It also called for the removal of the INEC Chairman from office.
Osuntokun said, “While the position of INEC Chairman is constitutionally guaranteed and cannot be removed, but same attitude applied to Emefiele (suspended CBN Governor) should be applied to Yakubu because INEC has done a lot of damages that merit him being sanctioned.
“Ideally somebody that committed the kind of gross abuse of office like INEC Chairman should resigned, but we are in Nigeria. That of EFCC and CBN remain a selective approach and there should be justice with INEC wrongdoing which has consequences for the well being of the nation.”
But reacting to the demands by Labour Party, the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi said it was strange that a political party that was in court challenging the outcome of the 2023 presidential election, could still go about openly discussing the matter at a news conferences/
He added that the press conference was subjudice while the reasons adduced by LP for the call to sack INEC are unreasonable.
“The reasons adduced by the LP in making the latest and familiar demand are not only illogical, but also ridiculous,” he said.
He said that election observers, both local and international, were accredited by INEC to observe elections under specific rules and regulations.
“Under these rules, they were required to submit their respective reports to the commission. Such reports may or may not include their recommendations.
“Therefore, it is not within the remit of any election observer whatsoever to indict INEC. They are to observe, make recommendations if they have any, but never to indict.
“In the same manner, it is also not within the LP’s jurisdiction to demand for the dismissal and prosecution of the INEC Chairman over the outcome of an election in which the party fielded candidates.
“Interestingly, arising from the outcome of the same 2023 General Election, the LP has now produced one State Governor, eight Senators, 35 House of Representatives members and 38 members of the State Houses of Assembly,” he said.
“The LP is one of the 18 political parties registered and being regulated by INEC in Nigeria.
“The party will do well by restricting itself to activities permitted under the rules and regulations governing the conduct of political parties,” he said.
(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
OBE/ABI