Stop threatening, intimidating, harassing INEC, allow it do its job, NNPP tells political leaders

Patrick Okohue

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has cautioned the nation’s political class to desist from the continuous threatening, intimidating and harassing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), because of last Saturday’s sudden postponement of the scheduled election, if they want the commission to deliver a credible election this time around. The party said if the harassment and intimidation of the electoral umpire continues, the likelihood is there that they could make more mistakes and if that happens Nigerians may be worst for it. The NNPP in a statement signed by its Head of Special Duties, Dipo Olayoku, also warned those canvassing for the removal of the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmoud Yakubu to know that such action is not timely at this moment. The party charged the people, “Let us reason well and responsibly at this moment of our nationhood and for Mr. President, it is in the public that your position is very clear as to the need to protect the constitutional rights of every Nigerian to vote a candidate of their choice. In our opinion the chairman of INEC and his subordinates have shown reasonable remorse including apology tendered. “What else could you say to the Nigerian people to show your commitment in protecting people’s rights and so there is no need for your seeming anger over the alleged incompetence of INEC. What has happened is the will of God and we should take it as such and move on because, power belongs to God and let nobody make mistakes about it. “What we must do now is to come together as a people in unity and drive processes of a greater Nigeria.
And for the emphasis it is strategic and most appropriate to remind Mr. President that without prejudice to flying the flag of APC for 2019 general election it is a fact that you are the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and to us it comes first before any other consideration. “We therefore wish to advocate that the National Chairmen of APC and PDP in particular should be advised to choose their words. It is trite to state that there are standard rules of engagement in handling issues of concern bordering on criminality.
All criminal offences allegedly acclaimed should be reported to the appropriate authority for investigation and prosecution thereto where necessary.
We must stop castigating and or blackmailing each other in the name of politics. This is very bad because it is usually instigating hatred and avoidable violence. While commending other political parties for so far following the path of peace and good conduct concerning the general election 2019, the NNPP said however that it is its “wish that APC and PDP leadership should call their members to order. “Election of party candidates into responsible positions should not be a do or die affair other than putting yourself up to serve your people. May we once again advise that if we continue to threaten and harass INEC management team we are likely to encourage further failures because they are human beings. “Let us for now leave it at that since Mr. President had said that he shall set up a probe panel to ascertain the reasons for the shifting of election six hours to voting time. We are convinced that thereafter there should be a lot for Nigerians to learn against future occurrence. Let us continue to pray for our country and to God be the glory. “We must make mention of the Presidential candidate of PDP, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku who has been exceptionally peaceful in his conduct and it is our prayers that other contestants will imbibe his nature to observing democratic principles. “May we remark that Mr. President may be conversant to the fact that most Nigerians misunderstood his warnings against ballot snatchers, since the extant Electoral Act do not carry death penalty, more so, the issue of body bag is yet to die down,” the party said