‘INEC not ready for polls’, PDP Governors say

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March 11, 2015 11:16 AM

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum also rejected INEC’s plan to use electronic card readers for the polls.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has called into question the readiness of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct the upcoming general elections.

The PDP governors also rejected INEC’s plan to use electronic card readers for the polls.

The governors made their reservations known on Tuesday, March 10, during a meeting with the media and civil society organizations in Lagos.

“The continued quest of the PDP-led Federal Government for free, fair and credible elections is witnessed in President Goodluck Jonathan’s robust support through adequate and sustained funding as well as the free hand given to INEC to operate,” Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom said.

“But surprisingly, in our own opinion, INEC appears ill-prepared for the 2015 elections. For example, at the time the polls were shifted due to security concerns, over 23 million registered voters had yet to collect their PVCs and you know there are some countries with populations of about just three million,” Akpabio, who is the Chairman of the Forum added.

“Twenty-three million would amount to disenfranchising more than five West African countries in their own elections,” he said.

Governor Liyel Imoke also speaking called into question the integrity of INEC Chairman Attahiru Jega.

“The facts are before us. The testing of card reader and its failure have not been addressed. PVCs remain unprinted as we speak. INEC has no right whatsoever to disenfranchise any Nigerian,” Imoke said.

Other governors at the meeting include Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa, Babangida Aliyu of Niger, Sule Lamido of Jigawa, Ayo Fayose of Ekiti and Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State among others.

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