The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has advised the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to see his reapportionment as opportunity to improve on the nation’s electoral processes.
The party in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, in Abuja on Wednesday said the reappointment entrusted on Yakubu the fate, hope and future of some 200 million Nigerians as well as that of generations yet unborn.
He said PDP, in the light of the five-year extension, were of the hope that miscarriages of justice in the country’s electoral process would have no place in the new order.
Ologbondiyan stated that with Yakubu’s reappointment, he had been given an ample time and opportunity to redeem the image of INEC as well as preparation for more credible, free and fair elections.
“At least, with this reappointment whatever happens in our future elections cannot be ascribed to inexperience and lack of adequate preparedness on the side of INEC.
“We consider this reappointment by President Muhammadu Buhari as an impetus to demonstrate a readiness for a free, fair and credible election, which Mr President had always promised to bequeath at the end of his second and final term in office in 2023.”
Ologbondiyan urged the INEC Chairman to spend about two years before the next general election to rejig the situation at the commission.
“Yakubu should work out appropriate electoral policies and guidelines and push for an amendment of the Electoral Act, in conjunction with the National Assembly, to give our nation a credible electoral process.
“He must be mindful of the aphorism that to whom much is given, much more is expected.
“His reappointment, therefore, comes with a lot of expectations by Nigerians.”
Ologbondiyan also advised Yakubu to quickly take a painstaking look into issues that aid manipulations, rigging, violence and inconclusive elections which marred most of the previous elections.
“Yakubu should note that the future, stability and corporate existence of our nation have been entrusted in his hands as credible election is the bedrock of any democratic society.”
