INEC’s reconstruction of electoral calendar (2)

CONTINUED FROM YESTERDAY

THE manner at which the APC vehemently opposed postponement of these elections suggests that something is not adding up. Why on earth the APC would be insisting that election timetable would not be adjusted knowing fully well that millions of Nigerians might be disenfranchised because of INEC’s ineptitude in the distribution of PVCs especially in the southern part of this country. Does this confirm the fears and allegations of millions of non-indigenes living in the APC-controlled states of South-west, that INEC is conniving with APC leaders and stalwarts to deny people access to PVCs in other to influence the outcome of the forthcoming general elections in favour of the APC.

    This is a tactical way of disenfranchising majority of Igbos in the geopolitical zone, because of their unalloyed and un-negotiable support for President Jonathan’s re-election bid, which is sending jitters down the nervous spine of the APC. Nigerians have started calling for the resignation of Jega for his inability to ensure effective distribution of PVCs and potential disenfranchisement of Internally Displaced Persons returning from Northern part of the country, because of INEC’s insistence that the southern-bound IDPs would not be allowed to vote, while provision has already been made for their counterparts in the North to exercise their civic responsibility, which is raising issues of bias and partisanship on the part of Jega. 

   In my humble opinion, I think Jega has lost the moral thrust to preside over this election, and should honourably throw in the tower because trust is a burden. INEC’s neutrality as an electoral umpire has greatly been comprised and is now a subject of controversy. 

• Chidiebere, Public Affairs commentator writes from Abuja.

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CONCLUDED