Group Kicks Against Interim Govt, Urges INEC To Conduct Credible Elections

A non-governmental group under the aegis of Project Rescue Democracy (PRD) has kicked against any plan to adopt interim government or military intervention in the country and urged the National Assembly to be transparent on issue concerning the electoral process.

    The group President, Mr. Wale Ogunade, made this known to the press at the weekend in Lagos, while speaking on the state of nation, 2015 general election and other matters. He said ‎government and INEC should make the election dates sacrosanct. 

“ We are opposing any plan to extend the 2015 general election by any means whatsoever. Section 135 (2) of the 1999 Federal Republic of Nigeria constitution is clear as to the tenure of the government, which is the hand over date, and any move or step taken against the actualisation of this date will lead to serious constitutional crises.

  “We shall continuously demand transparency and responsibility from the National Assembly regarding the electoral process, as Nigerians shall demand open voting at the floor of both Houses should any such matter come be‎fore them.”

   Also, co-convener of the group, Professor Chris Nwaokobia said it is important that Nigerians kick against any tinkering with the current electoral process either by way of an illegal interim government.

   According to him: “ March 28 and April 11, 2015 elections date and May 29 handover remain sacrosanct because any deviation will result in constitutional crisis that may implode the system.

   “We are not unmindful ‎of the pain and tragedy of the June 12,1993 debacle and that we may not walk that path again, we insist that government and INEC make those date immutable and definite. 

“We demand that the National Security Adviser (NSA) and service chiefs concentrate on their constitutional responsibility. Professor Jega to strictly adhere to the provisions of the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution to affirm his constitutional responsibility and refuse to be tele-guided to carry out his statutory functions without fear or favour,” he said.