We’ll conduct credible elections in 2019- INEC

The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mohmood Yakubu, has assured Nigerians that the commission is committed to conducting free, fair and credible in 2019.

Yakubu said this in Nsukka on Tuesday during the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES) campus Outreach titled “Youths Votes Count” held at University of Nigeria Nsukka.

He said the commission has put in place processes that will help in delivering credible poll.

Yakubu said, “INEC is courageous in conducting free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria come 2019. The commission has put quality processes and procedures that will deliver credible, free and fair elections in 2019.

“With improvements in elections in the country, politicians now know that snatching of ballot boxes has become useless and that is why they have resorted to vote buying.”

Yakubu, who was represented by Dr. Festus Okoye, noted that young people have the capacity, energy and intellect to be involved in democratic process in order to positively influence and boost the country’s democracy.

“For the country’s democracy to advance, youths must channel their energy and intellectual capabilities in all electoral processes that will result in free and fair elections.

“Youths are future leaders and the destiny of this country lies in their hands.

“Every youth should have his or her Permanent Voters Card (PVC), ready to vote on voting day and protect the vote,” he said.

In his remark, Ambassador Ketil Karisen, Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said the aim of EU was to sensitise youth participation towards ensuring free, fair and credible 2019 general election.

“We are not supporting any candidate or political party but our concern is to ensure credible, free and fair election.

“Since 1999, the EU has spent over 100 million euros in support of elections in Nigeria.

“Nigeria is receiving the highest fund from EU because it’s most populated and biggest economy in Africa,” he said.

The ambassador urged youths to resist any attempt to use them as thugs or any inducement for them to sell their votes on Election Day.

“Youths should resist any attempt to use them cause violence in 2019 general election.

“Youths should also sensitise people around them on danger of vote buying and should resist any attempt by some politicians to lure them in doing that”, he said.

Also, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Enugu State, Mr. Emeka Ononamadu, appealed to eligible voters to ensure that they participate actively in next year’s general election.

Ononamadu said records available at his office showed low turnout of voters in at the last general election in the country.

“The last election had 1.4 million registered voters in Enugu State but only about 500, 000 people voted.

“Now for 2019 general election, 1.9 m voters have registered which is a sign that the residents are determined to drive democracy in the state”, he said.

Also his remark, the President of Students Union Government in UNN, Mr. Fortunatus Chimezie, praised EU and INEC for organising the event in UNN.

Chimezie assured that students will vote wisely during 2019 general election and will not engage themselves in vote selling or election violence.

Earlier in his remark, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Benjamin Ozumba, who was represented by the Vice Chancellor Administration, Prof. Charles Igwe, commended EU and INEC for organising the event, noting that UNN needed support to see that every youth vote wisely during 2019 general election.

Some awards winning artistes that graced the occasion include Uti Nwachukwu, award winning Actor/Television Presenter, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2baba, Chidinma Ekeli, Olubankole Wellington known as BankyW, and Ebuka Obi-Uchendu.