INEC dismisses PDP allegation of partisanship

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed as untrue, allegations by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) that the commission is an arm of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Specifically, the commission’s Deputy Director in charge of publicity, Nick Dazang yesterday reacted to Uche Secondus, a PDP chieftain who alleged that the electoral umpire was partisan in its mode of operations with particular reference to elections in Rivers state.

In a telephone interview with The Guardian in Abuja yesterday, Dazang said the commission was not an appendage of any political party, just as he reiterated INEC’s avowed commitment to remain neutral in all electoral matters in the country.

His words: “But you know that that is not possible. The commission is an independent entity and does not take dictation so from any interest or political party. So, how does the commission now become an arm of any party? That’s number one.
“Number two, what is informing this allegation? What proof has he proffered? So, as a responsible and highly placed person, if he makes an allegation, the right thing to do is to provide proof.

“But as far as we are concerned we are not aligned or do not take dictation from any interest or party. We are neutral and it is our determination to treat all parties irrespective of their size, equally.

And to always provide a level playing field for all parties and contestants in a transparent manner. And our processes so far have been very transparent.

“I don’t know if what is informing his allegation, is the Rivers election or what? So, in what way have we conducted ourselves to show that we are an arm of APC?

On allegations of favoritism by high profile party chieftains, Danzang absolved the commission saying: “Our conscience is very clear as we know that we are not aligned to anyone. We are not partisan and the commission has always stated that it has no candidate or political party. So, it has no reason to favour or to be partisan.

“The commission is and remains independent, neutral and impartial. And it is resolutely determined to provide a level playing field to all candidates and political parties at all times,” he said.