Don’t rely on INEC for victory, Yakubu tells politicians

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmud Yakubu, yesterday enjoined political office seekers to count on the electorate rather than relying on the agency for victory.

He reiterated the commission’s resolve to ensuring better elections in the country.

Yakubu, who spoke yesterday in Abuja at a two-day capacity building workshop for political parties, underscored the importance of synergy among stakeholders to strengthen the nation’s democracy.

His words: “I want to make this point very clear to all of us. Politicians should not rely on INEC to win elections, you should rather go to the people and convince them if you must hold elective offices because we are going to ensure that only those who are genuinely voted for will emerge victorious.”

He thanked the inter-party advisory council for its renewed vigour at promoting democracy among political parties.

Consequently, Yakubu described the healthy relationship as a new phase in the nation’s democratic journey since all parties now serve as partners in progress.

The workshop was to find best ways to finance the parties so that partisan politics would no longer be an exclusive of the rich.