The apex Igbo sociocultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has condemned what it described as malicious and unfounded allegations against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Ohanaeze said INEC’s credibility and neutrality have recently improved significantly, making it imperative for all stakeholders to rally in support of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
In a statement, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, deputy president-general of the group, said that the recent spate of allegations claiming corruption within INEC is nothing short of a deliberate fabrication designed to incite chaos and destabilize the electoral landscape.
“It is a calculated attack aimed at undermining the integrity of a commission that is vital to the functioning of democracy in Nigeria.
“We categorically label these charges as malicious falsehoods peddled by the anti-democratic group known as the South-South Alliance—an organisation evidently manipulated and funded by unscrupulous politicians whose sole aim is to erode public trust in INEC.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo denounces this campaign of calumny, which we identify as the treacherous handiwork of fifth columnists seeking to disrupt the democratic process. We implore INEC to dismiss these baseless accusations as the distractions they are, intentionally devised to draw attention away from their critical responsibilities. It is essential that we safeguard the integrity of INEC at all costs, as it represents the cornerstone of our nation’s electoral democracy.
“Moreover, the Nigerian populace is acutely aware of the unfolding political drama surrounding the proposed recall of suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. It is profoundly undemocratic for shadowy figures and obscure factions to create artificial panic through spurious allegations against INEC,” he stated.
Isiguzoro averred that such actions, if not curtailed, pose a significant risk of inciting violence that could culminate in the destruction of INEC offices and threaten the safety of its officials across the nation.
He said, particularly troubling are the reports of clandestine plans by unprincipled politicians to exploit the ongoing political crisis between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, stressing that such manoeuvres are designed to orchestrate chaos and to manipulate the public narrative surrounding Professor Yakubu and his pivotal role at INEC.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo stands steadfast at the forefront of advocating for improvements in INEC’s independence, credibility, and transparency. We believe that the commendable initiatives undertaken by Professor Yakubu to reshape INEC for efficient electoral reform and to enhance its constitutional role as an unbiased national electoral umpire should not be undermined by orchestrated, faceless groups. Our collective duty is to support those endeavours rather than allow them derailed by malicious intent.
“As a critical stakeholder in Nigeria’s democratic project, Ohanaeze Ndigbo affirms its commitment to partnering with Professor Yakubu and his dedicated team at INEC. We must fortify our democracy against the relentless onslaught of anti-democratic forces”.
