Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Condemns Attacks On INEC

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has strongly condemned recent attacks on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by people it called “self-serving politicians.”

According to the group, the individuals, allegedly driven by self interests, were attempting to undermine Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

The group, in a statement signed by its National President, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, said the attacks were being orchestrated by some people seeking to advance their selfish agendas.

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide advised the groups to cease being tools of destabilisation and reminded them that elections are not perfect anywhere in the world.

The group commended INEC’s leadership under Professor Mahmood Yakubu, citing instances where sitting governors and National Assembly members lost their seats, as well as President Bola Tinubu losing Lagos State in the 2023 presidential election. These, they said, were clear evidence of a fair electoral process.

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide called on security agencies to act swiftly to prevent any attempts to instigate unnecessary crises or heighten political tension in the country.

They also urged President Tinubu and the National Assembly to disregard the politically motivated protests.

The group reaffirmed its support for INEC’s leadership and stood firm in defense of Nigeria’s democratic institutions, rejecting any effort to undermine them.

The statement read: “Elections are not perfect anywhere in the world. Even in advanced democracies like the United States, allegations of electoral malpractice persist. Instead of vilifying INEC, they should accept their defeat graciously.

“The planned protests by groups such as #ReformINEC and #SackYakubu Movement are evidently orchestrated by failed politicians seeking to advance their selfish agendas. We strongly advise these groups to cease being tools of destabilization. Very soon, we shall expose those who hide behind ghost organizations to foment confusion and disunity in the polity.

“We also call on security agencies to act swiftly to prevent any attempts to instigate unnecessary crises or heighten political tension in the country. While we acknowledge that no electoral process is perfect, INEC under Professor Yakubu’s leadership deserves commendation, not condemnation.

“The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide fully supports the leadership of INEC and urges the President and the National Assembly to disregard these politically motivated protests. We stand firm in defense of our democratic institutions and reject any effort to undermine them.”