As Nigeria prepares for the 2023 elections, the Igbo National Council, a civic body, says it agrees with the Situation Room that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should avoid any future action that could exacerbate allegations of prejudice or unfairness.
Chilos Godsent, the president of the Igbo organization, told Advertafrica.net on Tuesday that the electoral commission will not be able to hide this time because “Nigeria has never been this horrible since 1960.”
Ene Obi, the Convener of Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, Asma’u Joda, and James Ugochukwu, the organisation’s Co-Conveners, are promoting the group.
“Situation Room is concerned that INEC’s action in adjusting election deadlines and timetables may be viewed as a show of bias – a notion that does not assist INEC create a reputation as an unbiased arbiter ahead of the 2023 general elections,” says Godsent.
Previously, the group expressed concern that the ongoing political party primaries had seen a large and troubling usage of money to entice delegates’ support and secure nominations for candidacy in the 2023 general elections.
Aspirants have demonstrated and utilized the unrestricted use of money to entice delegates to vote for them across most political parties and throughout the range of electoral seats.
‘Indeed, news of losing aspirants requesting refunds of payments and gifts paid to them after they failed to garner votes illustrates the severity of the money and inducement crisis in on-going political party primaries,’ the organisation stated.
The Situation Room is worried that the widespread use of money to influence the outcome of delegates’ votes is a huge affront to our democracy, and that it will ultimately damage the quality and nature of people who run for office.
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We urge the competent authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into these resources in an impartial and non-partisan manner, regardless of political affiliation, to rule out the possibility that stolen funds are being utilized for this purpose.
‘’ Furthermore, anti-graft agencies should recognize that it is their job to apprehend people who engage in vote dealing, which is illegal under the Electoral Act of 2022.
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The Situation Room also calls on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate alleged incidents of money being used in primaries, with the goal of prosecuting individuals or political parties implicated.
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The Situation Room is upset that INEC has changed its mind on not extending the deadline for political parties to finish their primaries and submit their candidate lists for the 2023 general elections.
“INEC’s adamant adherence to its previous schedule drove several of the parties to stick to the deadlines, despite deficiencies in their procedures.”
’ Turning back and extending the date gave political parties that were behind in their preparations for the parties the advantage of better preparation that the originally given date denied other political parties.
According to the group, “INEC should be viewed to provide level playing fields for all parties interested in every election.”
