The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, to address reports that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, offered land and cash gifts to senior staff of the commission.

In a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the PDP cited reports that one Mr. Mohammed Kudu Haruna, who is the Supervising National Commissioner for the FCT, admitted the land gift.

The PDP described the news as very disturbing and worrisome, adding that it seems to connect the dots in the land-for-favour scenario that is currently being widely speculated to be the strategy for the minister’s institutional capture.

“It is curious that these land gifts are given to officials in agencies critical to elections, whereas there are other officials in critical development sectors, like healthcare professionals, teachers, and even security officials, whose duties demand that they live in the capital city. We have not heard of any land allocation to these people, obviously because they are not directly related to the election process,” the party said.

The PDP urged Amupitan to come clean on these allegations against his top officials, and even himself, as he has also been alleged to be a beneficiary. It said such stories deepen the erosion of public trust in an electoral umpire with a legacy of stained credibility.

“Therefore, the commission should, as a matter of urgency and priority, inform the public of the true situation regarding this matter.

“The commission must remember at all times that it must strive to be, like Caesar’s wife, above board, and ensure that transparency and impartiality are not just watchwords but are obvious in both its words and actions,” the party said.