PDP rejects new INEC Chairman’s appointment

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the appointment of Amina Bala Zakari as the Acting Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Mrs Zakari was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, June 30, 2015, following the exit of former Chairman, Attahiru Jega.

The PDP however stated that the new Chairman’s appointment is unacceptable because she “is too close to the Presidency.”

The party’s opinion was disclosed on Wednesday, July 1, by National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh during a press conference in Abuja.

“The situation in INEC since the PDP government reformed and granted it operational autonomy has been peaceful, but Tuesday’s untidy overruling of Prof. Jega and appointing of Mrs. Amina Zakari as acting chairman which, we gathered was influenced by personal relationship with the Presidency and one of the new governors of the North West, ostensibly to pave the way for the APC at the electoral tribunals, has completely eroded public trust in the commission,” Metuh said.

“The PDP has declared the appointment of Mrs. Amina Zakari as unacceptable and demands that President Buhari changes her immediately,” he added.

Jega had initially handed over to National Commissioner, Muhammad Wali before Zakari was appointed by Buhari.