Ahead of tomorrow’s elections, a group – Eastern Peoples Front has doubted INEC’s preparedness to deliver a free, transparent and fair election.
In a statement issued and signed by its national coordinator, Ken Emechebe in Abuja, the group said the shocking postponement last week Saturday was proof that any confidence emanating from the commission about a peaceful and fair election cannot be taken seriously.
EPF said, “We are surprised about the polls’ shift within less than 24 hours after Professor Mahmood Yakubu reportedly assured the country that there will be no suspension. This, to us suggests foul play capable of disrupting free, fair and credible elections.
“We are equally not too sure about the status of sensitive election materials that have been posted by the commission to some parts of the country, and want a third-party verification of the materials.
“We also think that when an independent body like INEC which has all that it asked for to run the election fails, there is a need to probe and ascertain what truly happened. When did INEC discover it had such sundry logistics challenges and could not go on with the elections?”
“The government and INEC which in our view has little independence, have by the polls’ rescheduling, provided Nigerians a good reason to massively vote out the APC on February 23, and vote in Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Mr. Peter Obi of the PDP to lead the country for the next four years.
“This is further supported by the huge backing of Atiku and Obi by the Afenifere, Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, Northern Elders Forum, Middle Belt Elders Forum, Ohaneze Ndigbo, and other ethnic nationalities.
“The resolve of all the leaders of the various ethnic nationalities have not changed with this rescheduling.
“Ndigbo across Nigeria, should maintain maximum calmness and return to the polling stations to vote in Atiku and Obi.”
