Nigeria: Group warns electoral body against delaying elections

THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been warned not to succumb to pressure from the Federal Government to postpone both the Presidential and governorship polls fixed for 14 and 28 of this year.

   A political group under the auspices of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Ekiti State chapter, yesterday alleged that the proponents of the shift in dates of the election have ulterior motives.

     IPAC, an umbrella body of all registered political parties, in a communiqué issued by Chairmen of the constituent parties in Ado Ekiti, said the country is heading for a constitutional crisis that can abort the democracy, if the election dates are tampered with.

      The statement signed by 21 chairmen of various political parties, also cautioned Governor Ayodele Fayose again making reckless statement capable of igniting crisis in the country, which was a veiled reference to the ‘death-wish’ advert the governor sponsored against the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Major Gen Muhammadu Buhari.

    Some of the signatories include: Mr Charles Famuseye of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Dr Dele Ekunola of Social Democratic Party (SDP), Com Omotayo Kunle, National Conscience Party (NCP). Others include Prince Tunji Ogunlola of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Mr J.A. Alokan of the Hope Democratic Party (HDP).

    It said: “We urge the political elites, notable stakeholders, traditional rulers and all well-meaning Nigerians home and abroad to prevail on Federal Government to find a lasting solution to insecurity in Nigeria. There can not be credible elections, if Nigerians are not secured”.

      IPAC advised Governor Fayose to devote attentions on how to improve the level of security in the state and the people’s wellbeing, rather than dabbling into national politics that could denigrate his personality and the image of the State.

    The body flayed Fayose for allegedly sacking 180 staff of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, disengaging 800 operatives of the Peace Corps and 500 staff of the Ekiti State Traffic Management agency, describing the act as wicked and inhuman.

The Guardian (Ng)