INEC to file libel suit against APC

By Moses Oyediran, Enugu

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Enugu state, says it is studying some allegations leveled against the commission on the conduct of the 2019 general elections with the aim of seeking redress in court.

INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Enugu state, Dr. Emeka Ononamadu stated this during a post – 2019 general elections media briefing held on Tuesday.

Ononamadu said the time has come when the commission shall file libelous suits against some groups, accusing certain political groups of trying to falsely label the electoral body, security agencies and the central bank in their attempts to scuttle the electoral process.

Our correspondent recalls that the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state had accused INEC of bias and passing a no confidence vote on the commission’s ability to conduct credible elections.

The state resident electoral commissioner said “I am also studying those wide allegations for possibilities of seeking court redress because it is not only politicians that can always take INEC to court; INEC and its staff equally have a name to protect.

“We are not going to tolerate reckless allegations that cast aspersions on our democracy and electoral process. We are moving towards a direction where nobody will get away with any unsubstantiated allegation that robs off on the credibility of an election.”

Ononamadu noted that all elections in the state had been successfully completed, adding that “there is no election either at the federal or state level that is outstanding in Enugu.

“Before the February 23 presidential and National Assembly elections as well as the March 9 governorship and state assembly elections, INEC in Enugu promised that we will conduct not only credible election, but one which is transparent and will pass the test of time.

“While we had teething logistics challenges during the presidential election, we overcame all of those challenges during the governorship election and became the first state that had all the 4, 145 polling locations open before 8.00am on election day.”

He thanked Enugu residents, traditional rulers, security agencies, the National Youth Service Corps members, media, civil society organizations, political parties, management and staff of INEC for their support during the conduct of the general elections.

He disclosed that the commission will commence the issuance of certificates of return to elected federal lawmakers in Abuja on Thursday.

“Having successfully concluded election, we are also fully prepared for post-election events and activities. I want to reassure you all that we will conduct ourselves even better than we did during the elections. Like INEC Enugu has repeatedly said, power belongs to the people, so it is the people that gives power and not INEC,” he added.