Ahead of the Saturday 23rd February, 2019, Adams Oshiomole, National Chairman of the APC has on Monday demanded that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reshuffle some of its senior officials. He stated this at a caucus meeting of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Abuja.
In attendance at the meeting were President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, 11 APC governors, and other party leaders. Mr. Oshiomhole accused some INEC State Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) of working with the PDP.
He particularly mentioned the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Akwa Ibom, Mike Igini, a revered activist in Nigeria. Reports have it that Mr Igini raised alarm that thugs of a political party burnt INEC vehicles in the state. Though, he did not mention the party involved.
“Some of our vehicles that were distributing materials were burnt yesterday and who are those instigating this? Politicians.
“This is rather unfortunate. Politicians who are the greatest beneficiaries of this democracy have become the greatest threats,” the INEC official stated on Saturday.
Mr Oshiomhole likened his request that INEC should be reshuffled to a team in a football match complaining about the bias of a potential referee. He said match officials have a responsibility to change such referee.
Mr Oshiomhole also accused INEC of leaking its plan to postpone last Saturday’s presidential elections to the PDP. He also said the APC wants elections to hold across Nigeria at the same time.
“We do not want staggered elections,” the party chairman said.
President Muhammadu Buhari who also spoke to newsmen said INEC must act responsibly.
“The constitution and the laws protected INEC, but they must not take us for granted,” the president said.
BIGHT NEWS reported how INEC postponed Nigeria’s general elections by one week. The presidential and National Assembly elections were postponed from February 16 to 23 while state elections were postponed from March 2 to 9.
