NBA Doubts INEC’s Ability To Conduct 2015 Polls …Anambra PDP Candidate Rejects Supplementary Election

The Nigerian Bar Association on yesterday doubted the ability of the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct credible elections in 2015.
In a communiqué issued at the end of its National Executive Committee meeting in Nasarawa State, the NBA described the inconclusive governorship election in Anambra State as embarrassing and unacceptable.
NBA President, Okey Wali, SAN, read the communiqué at a press conference in Abuja.
“The inconclusiveness of the said elections and the serious operational and logistical challenges that gave rise to the supplementary elections have created serious doubts in the minds of Nigerians regarding the preparedness of the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct acceptable elections in 2015.
“The NBA views as very embarrassing and unacceptable the inconclusiveness of the Anambra State governorship elections occasioned by operational and logistic challenges in an election supervised by six national commissioners, 15 Resident Electoral Commissioners and a galaxy of permanent staff from the contiguous states,” the association said in the communiqué.
NBA noted that there were highly compromised officials within the commission, and called on relevant authorities to immediately arrest and prosecute those involved in the irregularities that attended the poll.
Meanwhile, the governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party in Anambra State, Comrade Tony Nwoye, yesterday said his party would not participate in Saturday’s supplementary election in some local government areas in the state.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) despite the public outcry that trailed the November 16 election had insisted that there would be supplementary election in the state.
But the All Progressives Congress, the Labour Party and the PDP had all pulled out of Saturday’s election, leaving the All Progressives Grand Alliance as the sole party for the poll.
Briefing reporters yesterday in Awka, the Tony Nwoye Campaign Organisation led by its Director General, Mr. Victor Ezenwa, said the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, was on his own on the proposed election.
Ezenwa said, “our candidate, Comrade Tony Nwoye has said it over and over again that he would not be part of Saturday’s supplementary election and if PDP participates in the election, it means giving credibility to illegal act.
“Metuh ought to realise the circumference of his office, he cannot continue putting words into the mouth of the PDP candidate in the state.
“The position of our party is that we are not going to be part of the election, Metuh is on his own, what he is doing is at variance to the views of the majority of the people of Anambra State.”
Meanwhile, the governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party in Anambra State, Comrade Tony Nwoye, yesterday said his party would not participate in Saturday’s supplementary election in some local government areas in the state.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) despite the public outcry that trailed the November 16 election had insisted that there would be supplementary election in the state.
But the All Progressives Congress, the Labour Party and the PDP had all pulled out of Saturday’s election, leaving the All Progressives Grand Alliance as the sole party for the poll.
Briefing reporters on Tuesday in Awka, the Tony Nwoye Campaign Organisation led by its Director General, Mr. Victor Ezenwa, said the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, is on his own on the proposed election.
Ezenwa said, “Our candidate, Comrade Tony Nwoye has said it over and over again that he will not be part of Saturday’s supplementary and if PDP participates in the election, it means giving credibility to illegal act.
“Metuh ought to realize the circumference of his office, he cannot continue putting words into the mouth of the PDP candidate in the state.
“The position of our party is that we are not going to be part of the election, Metuh is on his own, what he is doing is at variance to the views of the majority of the people of Anambra State.”