Northern Elders Forum, (NEF), Spokesman, Hakeem Ahmad and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku/OKowa presidential campaign Spokesman, Charles Aniagwu, have expressed confidence on the preparedness of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a free and fair 2023 election.
Newsonline reports that the two spokesmen in separate interviews with DailySun, however, said the fair should be whether President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to leaving a legacy of transparent election by allowing INEC to act independently in the 2023 election.
Baba Ahmad said with his knowledge of some personnel of the commission he was sure of their commitment to free and credible election. But expressed worry that government officials may use their office to manipulate to 2023 election.
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“I have confidence in the leadership of INEC. They have worked hard to improve the electoral process. I know enough about some of them to say I cannot see them being bought by politicians.” He lamented, “but they have little control over the environment in which the elections will be conducted.
NEf spokesman mentioned vote-buying, violence and unfair advantage of incumbency as challenges that may hamper a free and credible election.
“Challenges such as violence and vote-buying could compromise the integrity of the elections. The President says the legacy he plans to leave is credible elections. If he means that, then he needs to do a lot, directly, to reduce the spectre of violence and corruption of the ballot. He must watch out for people that will try to give his party an unfair advantage owing to incumbency,” Hakeem said.
The Northern Elders Forum spokesman added that with President Buhari’s commitment, INEC will deliver a credible election mandate to Nigeria.
Commissioner of Information, Delta State, Charles Aniagwu, added that with the introduction of BVAS, and the conduct of elections in Ekiti and Osun states, INEC showed commitment and readiness to give credible election in 2023.
Aniagwu, whose principal, Ifeanyi Okowa, Delta State governor is the vice-presidential candidate to Atiku Abubakar, said the president, Buhari, has a duty to leave behind a legacy of a free and credible election.
Aniagwu said, “I am quite confident that INEC has demonstrated good faith in the very recent election, and I see no reason to change, because they could see that Nigerians are happy with them so far. We also hope that the government in power will allow them to continue that latitude to continue along the line, because it is a great signal for hope either for the government or the opposition.”
