Ondo PDP Demands Immediate Resignation of INEC National Chairman

The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo state has demanded the immediate resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, after suffering defeat in the just concluded November 26, 2016 governorship election of the state.

The party made the call on Monday in a communiqué issued by its State Secretary, Oyedele Ibini and made available to journalists in Akure, after a stakeholders meeting of the party held at the International event centre.

It accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under the leadership of Professor Yakubu for failing to conduct a free and fair election in Nigeria.

The party claimed that the leadership of the electoral body is ill equipped and grossly incompetent to discharge its responsibilities impartially in office.

It also added that the continued stay in office of the INEC National Electoral Commissioners in office is a threat to the peace of the country.

The ruling party also condemned the removal of its candidate’s name, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, from the list of the gladiators prior to the election and expressed displeasure towards the hurried conduct of the November 26, 2016 governorship election despite several calls for its postponement from the stakeholders.

“That INEC stands condemned for its shoddy preparations for the election, particularly the curious removal of our candidate’s name, Eyitayo Jegede, SAN from the list of candidates for the election.

“Therefore we declare that INEC blatantly deviated from the provisions of the Electoral Act, charted a curious and inglorious path deliberately, with a view to fostering on us a preconceived agenda to subvert the process and shut the PDP out the Nov 26th election.

“That we condemn the rush of INEC to conduct the election on Nov 26th, in view of the fact that it constitutionally still had up to January 2017 to conduct the election. This attitude did not allow our Party to campaign for the election particularly after we won in the Court of Appeal on 24th November, barely 48 hours to the election, thus INEC by this action reinforced and confirmed our suspicion that it was on a mission to ensure that the PDP lose the election by every means.

“Therefore we call for the resignation of the INEC Chairman and the National Commissioners as it is obvious that they are ill equipped and grossly incompetent to discharge the responsibilities of their office impartially.

“INEC under them has demonstrated its inability to conduct free and fair election in Nigeria. The continued stay in office of these people is a threat to the peace and health of our nation.

The party, however, said it has confidence in the Judiciary, particularly the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court for doing appropriate justice to the “fraud and charade” that characterized the judgment of Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court Abuja.

It also expressed believe in the leadership qualities of the outgoing Governor Olusegun Mimiko and the party’s State Executive Council.

“His leadership acumen and giant strides remain the catalyst that has lifted our State to a great height and development.

“We continue to repose our trust and confidence in him as our political leader and therefore pledge our unflinching support for him even now and after his tenure as Governor ends.

“That we also repose confidence in the State Executive Council of the Party and equally pledge our unflinching support for it as it continues to work assiduously to ensure cohesiveness within the Party” the communiqué further read.