Osun Poll: INEC’s Alleged Partiality ‘Too Heavy To Be Overlooked’

The Advocacy for Integrity and Economic Development (AIED) has expressed concern over alleged partiality of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in last Saturday’s gubernatorial election in Osun State that eventually turned out “inconclusive”.

AIED said in view of the allegation, INEC must prove its impartiality by making public the total number of Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) collected by the electorate in the seven polling units where elections were cancelled during the September 22 election.

Recall that after cancelling results from the polling units, the electoral body had fixed September 27 for a rerun to determine the actual winner of the Osun election.

Speaking through its Director of Media and Publicity, Comrade O’Seun John, AIED said, “We are deeply concerned about the allegations surrounding the conduct of the Saturday September 22nd Governorship election in Osun State. While we praise the electorates for embarking on a peaceful exercise, allegations against INEC as being [biased] are too heavy to be overlooked.

“INEC is the most powerful institution in Nigeria, far more powerful than the office of the President because it holds the key to whatever form or shape the presidency takes. It is therefore a greater threat to national security if the commission is seen to be favourable to a particular political party or individual.

“Seeing an official of the commission on national television confessing to an offence of destroying document of the commission capable of manipulating the outcome of the election is saddening.

“While we wish to believe that the said official and his supervisor acted alone, we urge INEC to release forthwith, the details of Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVC) collected in the seven polling units in a display of transparency and fairness.

“This is of utmost importance as such move will erase any thoughts of a planned manipulation between the commission and the ruling party,” said the advocacy group.