The Southern and Middle Belt Alliance has asked the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and senior officials of the commission to resign. They should resign if they cannot guarantee that Saturday’s governorship and states House of Assembly elections will be free, fair and credible.
In a statement on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Rwang Pam Jr., the SMBA said that INEC failed in its duties. In addition, he said the Police did not perform their constitutional duties. “They have not only brought international disgrace to Nigeria, but equally failed to protect the mandate of millions of Nigerians.”
The statement
“In case the INEC boss feels that he cannot conduct free, fair, and credible elections, he should resign.”
“Any member of post-elections tribunals feel that they are not ready to be objective and to give Nigerians justice without fear, favor, or compromise, such members should kindly resign.”
“If the Inspector-General of Police feels that he is not well equipped or competent enough to safeguard the public, INEC staff, and electoral materials on March 11, then he should resign and let someone else take over.”
Furthermore, it added, “After a week of such daylight destruction and intimidation, neither the NPF nor the DSS has paraded any of the political thugs or their sponsors as a demonstration of their commitment towards defending the integrity of the electoral process.”
“Consequently, millions of Nigerian taxpayers and the international community are fast losing confidence in the sincerity of these security agencies.”
SMBA hopes that the March 11 elections will be different.