Yobe IPAC Passes Vote Of Confidence On INEC Conduct Elections

THE Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Yobe state has; Friday passed a vote of confidence on Prof. Attahiru Jega, Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct the 2015 general elections in the country. Speaking at a news conference yesterday in Damaturu, the Yobe state IPAC chairman, Alhaji Umar Kukuri, said: “the assurances made by INEC chairman on the preparations for the elections before it was rescheduled has ‘solidly built confidence’ in all of us and, we therefore; pass a vote of confidence on him to conduct the elections, slated for March 28, and April 11, 2015.”

He stated that; “IPAC is disturbed that in spite of assurances from President Goodluck Jonathan in the last media chat that government has no plan to remove the INEC chairman, there are reckless agitations emerging from some quarters calling for removal of Prof. Jega.

“IPAC wish to state categorically clear that any attempt to sack Jega at this crucial moment will be counterproductive and great disservice to democracy in Nigeria.”

The council maintained that having gone this far with the preparations, Prof. Jega should conduct the elections as scheduled to avoid creating loopholes that may undermine the conduct of fair, credible and acceptable election in Nigeria.

“A change in the leadership of the electoral body at this time will create gaps that may be exploited for election rigging.”

The council urged Mr. President to disregard “the self-centered agitations” to protect his image and that of the country before Nigerians   and the international community.

It also commended Nigeria’s security forces for recapturing areas under the control of insurgents in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states and creating conducive atmosphere for the conduct of the elections.

The body of political parties pledged their support and cooperation to INEC, security operatives and other stakeholders towards conducting a peaceful and credible elections in Nigeria.