Utomi faults INEC’s indifference on Lagos REC

The political economist, Prof. Pat Utomi, yesterday, lamented the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) nonchalant attitude to the call for removal of Lagos State Resident Electoral Commission (REC), Segun Agbaje.

Utomi, convener of The BIG-TENT Coalition of Political Parties, Social Movements and Civil Society Organisations for Obi-Datti, described such stance as a question mark on credibility of the election.

He urged the international community to take note of the attitude, insisting that the people want Agbaje redeployed, saying his skills can be as valuable in Jigawa State as they are in Lagos.

Utomi also urged INEC to ensure that the list of people voting in a booth be pasted 24 hours before at the booth rather than using phones to do so.

He urged voters to stay back after voting and wait to see the uploading of the outcome; get a snapshot of it before going home for deserved rest.

“As I did in 1993, after they vote, they should stay back as if their lives depend on that ballot. We call on those who could not collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to come out and be part of the people’s Army to defend the vote.

“It is our country as the future of our children is at stake. Patriarch duty should propel us to come out. Call out any incident of possible vote buyers or riggers in the neighbourhood and ensure that INEC officials stay honest. Vigilance is the price of liberty. We want to be free so all must watch out and be counted. Nigeria will rise up again and our chance is now.

“There are also reports that in some parts of the country people are being told that if they do not have their PVCs but have the temporary ones, the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) can read the barcode and activate their voting. If that is used in any part of the country, it must be used all over the country.”

He adds, “The people rejoiced when the current Electoral Act began to move from those who manage elections to voters. But many things cause me worry. INEC, extremely poor performance in PVCs collection leaves much to worry about. Then there is the matter of creating new policy units and the speculations that people considered a threat to interests by the look of their names being posted miles away knowing that restricted movements would disenfranchise them.”