By Tayo Joseph Lagos
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected in its totality, the
composition and scope of the eight-man, in-house committee, set up by
the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu to investigate the existence of underage voters,
particularly in Kano and Katsina states.
The PDP also noted that the fact that the All Progressives Congress
(APC) rose in staunch defence of INEC over the existence of the underage
voters has further confirmed that the ruling party has more than vested
interests in the illegality.
At any rate, who enjoys the company of fleas like one with an open sore,
the PDP noted in a statement by its National Publicityr Secretary, Kola
Ologbondiyan, on Sunday.
According to the party, the panel constituted by INEC lacks credibility
as it comprises of members of the same indicted INEC, adding that they
have been detailed to arrive at predetermined findings and
recommendations aimed at exonerating the Prof. Yakubu-led commission and
play down on the electoral implications of the existence of underage
voters.
In rejecting the composition of the committee, the PDP also repudiates
the scope of the inquest, particularly the exclusion of Katsina state
from the probe, despite vast evidence of underage voters in that state.
Nigerians have been wondering why INEC is afraid of looking at its
register in Katsina state. Is it because Katsina is the home state of
President Muhammodu Buhari and a probe is likely to expose cans of
worms?
Is INEC afraid that a sanitized register would lead to a massive drop in
the voting population in the state and cripple APC’s rigging plan?
Nigerians are also wondering why INEC has vehemently refused to include
other stakeholders, including political parties, credible NGOs and Civil
Society Organizations in this important assignment to guarantee its
credibility.
We hold that by excluding other stakeholders, INEC is definitely not
sincere with the sanitization of INEC voters’ register in Kano, Katsina
and other states where, out of intimidation, it is allowing the
registration of minors.
INEC under Prof. Yakubu is already manifesting weaknesses and bias,
which further confirms why it should not be trusted in the conduct of
the 2019 general elections.
Consequently, the PDP and all aligning stakeholders will not accept any
findings or recommendations from INEC’s in-house committee, as such will
not reflect the reality on the ground regarding the contaminated
register.
Furthermore, we insist that INEC must be bold enough to extend the
inquest to Katsina state as well as other states where minors were
registered unless it wants the world to believe that it had already
caved into pressure ahead of the 2019 general elections.
The PDP therefore charges Prof. Yakubu to quickly redeem his name by
immediately disbanding the flawed committee and set up a more credible
and transparent panel made up of political parties, credible NGOs and
CSOs and extend the inquest to Katsina and other states.
Prof. Yakubu must understand that his allegiance is to Nigeria and not
the APC. INEC under him must not lose its credibility or be reduced to
an annex of the APC and it’s failed Presidency, as such would be
resisted.
Indeed, Nigerians would not accept anything short of a credible, free
and fair general elections in 2019 and any attempt by any one to pander
towards the rejected APC with a view to subvert the determined will of
the people will have himself to blame.
