Politicians want INEC, parties, voters to play by the rules

Some politicians on Wednesday appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to do its best to conduct a free, fair and credible Ondo governorship election on Nov. 26.

In interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, the parties also urged political parties and voters in the state to promote a peaceful and violence-free election by abiding by the rules.

The Lagos State Chairman of Action Alliance, Mr Shola Omolola, hoped that INEC would be impartial in the conduct of the election.

“I expect INEC to conduct a free, transparent and credible election and, most importantly, be impartial to all parties.

“Once this is done, the confidence of the people will be restored. Voters should play by the rules of the game,’’ Omolola said.

He also urged security personnel to be more vigilant.

Alhaji Musa Umar, a chieftain of All Progressives Congress, Kano Chapter, urged INEC to strengthen its partnership with security agencies for maximum peace during the election.

“INEC must enhance its collaboration with security agencies to ensure that political miscreants are kept at bay in order to achieve a peaceful election.

“In spite of the tension on the impending election, I am confident that the electorate will troop out to elect the best candidate in a bid to ensure their change aspiration,’’ Umar said.

Chief Martin Onovo, the 2015 Presidential Candidate of National Conscience Party, also urged INEC to collaborate fully with security agencies.

“We know that there are cases of insecurity; INEC should arrange with security agencies for sufficient security during the election.

“It is very easy to conduct election especially the ones like that of Ondo which is not happening in the cycle of general elections,’’ Onovo said.

The Lagos State Chairman of the National Conscience Party, Mr Fatai Ibuowo, however, called for postponement of the election to ease tension.

“For the election to be peaceful, INEC needs to postpone the election to bring down the tension in the state and allow PDP to settle internal crisis.

“INEC must also be seen to allow a level playing ground as the umpire.’’

He urged voters not to sell their voting rights by voting for a wrong candidate.