The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) yesterday expressed concern on reported nominations of card-carrying members of the all Progressives Congress (APC) into the decision making structure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The group said it was worried that partisan electoral officials were an a possible enabling strategy to influence the process and outcome of the 2023 general elections.
A statement issued by the chairman, Auwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani, said while the provisions of the 1999 Constitution were clear on the composition and major appointments into the structure of the electoral body, they were displeased by the apparent partisanship and favouritism reported through the nominations of the party’s card-carrying members as INEC commissioners and state Resident Electoral Commissioners.
“Some Nigerians alleged that the recent unmerited promotions and strategic deployments across the country initiated within the commission was to upturn votes or create inconclusive situations that will be exploited by unscrupulous politicians in forcing or rigging their way into power.
“We are more concerned by the potential impact of such a major push from the Presidency on the overall credibility, transparency and integrity of the upcoming elections in 2023. Just as we condemn in totality the appointments of card-carrying members of any political party as a controlling strategy that can compromise the competence and objectivity of INEC, under which the independence and integrity of the Commission cannot be guaranteed to deliver free, fair and credible elections.
“TMG on this note calls on President Muhammadu Buhari to in the spirit of his administration’s commitment to anti-corruption and transparency, withdraw all names of political party chieftains or card-carrying members contained in the nominations; and consider for immediate replacements, persons of integrity and unquestionable character, to demonstrate non-partisanship in the selections and nominations.
“We call on the National Assembly to reject confirmation of all nominated party chieftains and insist on transparency and non-partisanship in the selections, to uphold democratic value and electoral integrity, while proving respect for the sanity and sanctity of the rule of law, “ the statement said.
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