Elections not free under current leadership, says Fayose

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has cautioned that elections would not be free and fair under the current leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The governor, who spoke on a radio programme in Akure, said the Federal Government’s action has demonstrated that the people’s votes would no longer count in elections.

He said: “INEC has become an extension of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Aso Rock Presidential Villa. “Democracy in Nigeria has suffered a serious setback, but if the cabal in the APC-led Federal Government believes that they have defeated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) through their manipulation of the electoral process, they should be reminded that they can never defeat the people.”

He faulted INEC’s decision based on the ruling of Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja that ordered that Jimoh Ibrahim be substituted for Eyitayo Jegede.

“How can someone who held a primary election in Ibadan, Oyo State, without INEC’s involvement become the candidate of the PDP in an election holding in Ondo State? How can INEC drop the candidate who emerged through a primary election monitored by it in Akure?”

He expressed concern at the sudden change in the commission’s position, which had earlier said it did not recognise Ibrahim’s nomination.

On the $29.9 billion loan proposed by the Federal Government, Fayose said: “The loan would destroy Nigeria permanently. This government met $28.4 billion in our foreign reserve and has depleted it to $24 billion.

“The same government that had reduced our foreign reserve now wants to borrow $29.9 billion when the country is already indebted to the tune of $11 billion and is servicing a debt with about 30 per cent of its monthly income.”He urged PDP members and the entire Ondo people to fight for the reversal of Ibrahim’s candidature, which he said was illegal.

Fayose dispelled the rumour that he is supporting the candidate of the Alliance of Democracy (AD), Mr. Olusola Oke, who he described as a friend.