Neither APC Nor PDP Can Intimidate Me – INEC Chairman

Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has said in strong terms that no member of the major political parties in the country can intimidate him.

Yakubu, apparently reacting to criticisms against INEC over cases of underage voters in the Kano council polls, said he had passed the stage where he can be intimated by anyone.

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The INEC Chairman’s statement comes weeks after the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, claimed that the commission “lacks the capacity” to conduct free and fair elections.

“I have passed the stage where someone can intimidate me to do what is wrong,” Mahmood said in a chat with The Interview.

“I have passed that stage, where I can be intimidated, with due respect. And the real test is in what we have done (178 ‘mini’ elections) so far. The most interesting thing for me is that both parties accuse us equally. So, that means we are doing something right.

“We know that poorly conducted elections are a recipe for disaster… we will never tread that path,” he said.

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Addressing the alleged cases of underage voting in the Kano LG poll, the INEC Chairman said:

“These are elections that are not the legal and constitutional responsibilities of INEC. There are legal entities that conduct local and government elections in this country.

“So, on what basis are we going to prosecute electoral offenders in an election in which INEC is not legally responsible for?” he queried.

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