The upcoming Nigerian election has been fraught with corruption and irregularities. Just a few days ago Police ceased a man who had election results a day before the poll was postponed.
Political observers and pro-democracy groups have heavily criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission pointing out its gross incompetence. The Coalition for Clean Polls (CCP), accused the (INEC) of incompetence and violation of the federal character principle.
The group also said that the electoral umpire has within its fold, people with political leanings contrary to its avowed neutrality and unbias posture.
A statement signed by the publicity secretary of the CCP, Daniel Onche which was communicated to Report Focus News on Tuesday, February 19, stated that the INEC as presently constituted cannot guarantee free and fair elections given the fact that some of its staff now romance politicians.
The rescheduled elections which are due on the 23 February are already marred with corruption and thus the result will be disputed causing a legitimacy crisis for one of Africa’s biggest nations.
There has been talk of President Buhari removing the INEC chairman but the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, has officially dismissed these claims.
“Whoever is saying the President is removing INEC chairman is just displaying his illiteracy. Let him go and read the constitution.
“You need a resolution by two-thirds majority of the Senate for any such action,” Shehu said.
Meanwhile, the federal government of Nigeria has declared Friday 22nd of February, 2019 a holiday in anticipation of Saturday’s presidential and national assembly elections which were rescheduled for 23rd February, 2019.
The workers holiday was declared by the to enable Nigerian voters to prepare for the elections.