The leadership of the Action Alliance, yesterday, besieged the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja to protest an alleged disregard for court orders by top officials of the agency.
The party faithful chanted solidarity songs and displayed placards containing various inscriptions to protest an alleged move by some INEC officials to frustrate their political party.
Some of the inscriptions on the placards read, “INEC, stop your rascality now, ‘Judiciary, save our democracy from INEC impunity’, INEC must obey order of Justice Agbaza’, and ‘INEC stop your executive lawlessness now.”
Addressing the representatives of the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, the National Chairman of the AA, Chief Kenneth Udeze, said the party would no longer tolerate any form of lawlessness from any officials of the electoral umpire.
Udeze lamented that INEC always preferred to choose the court order to obey even when it was obvious that favourable cases were always decided by the authentic party executive.
He specifically cited the case involving the forthcoming Anambra Governorship election when the INEC allegedly chose to ignore favourable court rulings towards the party leadership and recognise the candidate of another faction.
He said, “We implore you, to quickly intervene on this urgent matter, and resolve this anomaly by accepting our candidates (governorship and deputy governorship alike) as the authentic flag bearers for the Anambra State Governorship.
‘Your commission out of over zealousness and lawlessness refused to give effects to the orders and findings of courts of competent jurisdiction because it is compromised through some of your staff, who must be made to declare truly their interest in Action Alliance and the reason to destroy our party.
“You will agree with us that Action Alliance has supported your tenure as INEC Chairman, as our party through the National Chairman – Chief Kenneth Udeze, publicly and copiously supported your administration as INEC chairman, pre and post 2019 general election.
“We are left with no option than to assist you do your job as it has become obvious that there are some external forces that are blackmailing INEC from doing the needful.
“Sir, an important component in a political system is leadership, and an Institution such as INEC is expected to deliver credible and uncompromising stance to all political parties.
“It is not right that your goodwill shall be undermined by your line staff, which for a porridge of yam, could destroy yet irreparably, an already dwindling status of a supposed unbiased umpire.”
The AA chairman challenged the National Assembly Committee on INEC at both chambers to ensure oversight function that would expose INEC officials who are allegedly collaborating with external forces to destroy political parties.
He said, “It is worthy that the National Assembly Committee on INEC should rise up to their legitimate responsibility of oversight in the activities of INEC, especially as it concerns some compromised staff of this commission with a view to unknot the avoidable causes of pre-election cases by recalcitrant political parties that work in connivance with INEC staff.
“This is necessary, to support most of the credible staff of the commission, who understand the dynamics of working within the ambits of the law, to manage and spend the financial appropriation made in its favour, for the overall benefits of the masses and tax payers.
“We advise, though humbly too, that you investigate and remedy these anomalies, and if you so wish; permit us as a party, we can help to unravel part of the mystery behind this Impunity and other inimical activities going on in your office.
“A situation where the commission will be comfortable to ignore relevant court judgement is not encouraging, and also, some other uncomplimentary activities which is tarnishing your image must be investigated and dealt with urgently.
“A situation where INEC is collaborating with enemies of our party to create an imaginary division or infraction in order to satisfy the interest of some pay masters is not worthy to be tolerated by Action Alliance (AA), let alone the INEC as an institution.
“We don’t want to be coerced to start naming for public notice those involved, but it may be considered if the commission don’t act fast on this matter of urgent importance.
“We have it in good authority that majority of Nigerian electorates are aware that this is the only time to fully participate to remedy all forms of injustice by your staff and salient acts of subversion bedevilling our electoral process, which might also discredit or mar the activities of the 2023 general election.
“Not really the election itself. If INEC does not purge itself from compromised staff, then this present leadership of INEC must be watched by critical stakeholders.
“How can you explain the situation where INEC who is supposed to be an unbiased umpire, is seen dealing and hobnobbing with opponents of the party’s National Executive Committee openly in court and outside the court.
“This is travesty of justice, please make things right Sir. We have the video clips and their audio is audible for everyone to hear.
“It appears that this same INEC staff, has accepted to be used by external forces (politicians from other parties, especially in APC) to hijack the party.
“They are doing this by facilitating every form of illegality and sabotage against the leadership of Chief Kenneth Udeze – led National Executive and we have come to officially inform you that we cannot allow such intimidation to stand or thrive, not under our leadership.”