IPAC Passes Vote of Confidence on INEC Chairman, Warns Anti-democratic Forces

Paschal Emeka, Abuja

The Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) rose from its emergency general meeting where it expressed satisfaction on Independent Electoral Commission (INEC’s) preparation for the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

They also deliberated on crucial national issues and evaluated emerging threats to the 2023 general elections.

Speaking after the meeting in Abuja, on Monday, Engr. Yabagi Yusuf Sani, the National Chairman of IPAC listed the threats to 2023 general elections to include what he described, as “the grand plots by anti-democratic forces to remove INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu from office on frivolous allegations of false assets declaration few weeks to the general elections and attacks on the commission’s offices in some parts of the country.

He lamented the destruction of sensitive, non-sensitive electoral materials and other property including Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), ballot boxes, voting cubicles, megaphones, electric power generators, election bags, water storage tanks, office furniture and fixtures in Zamfara, Imo, Ebonyi, Ogun, Osun, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Jigawa, FCT, Ondo, Abia states, among others, and other forms of campaign violence.

“Despite these unprecedented attacks on its facilities and the huge costs in replacing them immediately as time is of the essence, INEC has remained resolute, undaunted and courageous in deploying technology in the conduct of free, fair, credible, transparent and inclusive general elections leading to peaceful transfer of power.

He informed that “INEC’s position on deployment of technology in the conduct of the 2023 general election is in tandem with the stance of IPAC.

“Accordingly, the entire political Chairmen under the umbrella of Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) reaffirms its confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission led by Professor Mahmood Yakubu to conduct the 2023 general election.

“IPAC is satisfied with the preparations, arrangements and measures taken so far by the commission to conduct free, fair, credible and transparent, inclusive, peaceful and generally acceptable elections, particularly its decision to deploy the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), an electronic device designed to read permanent voter cards and authenticate voters using the voters’ fingerprints.

“BVAS is intended to achieve two objectives. First, is the verification of the authenticity of the PVCs, the fingerprints and faces of voters during accreditation.

“Secondly, it replaced the Z-pad for uploading the polling unit results to the INEC Result Viewing Portals (IReV) in real-time on election day.

“BVAS also acts as the INEC Voter Enrollment Device (IVE) during voter registration. Its usage has also eliminated the use of incident forms during accreditation on election day.

“It is an effective system that prevents electoral malpractices. It is this improved technology in the conduct of elections that triggered attacks on INEC facilities and grand plots to remove its chairman few weeks to the Presidential and National Assembly elections slated for 25th February, 2023, by those who benefited from grossly flawed elections and want to maintain the status quo that impeded the nation’s democracy and impoverished the populace.

“Several attempts have been made to remove the INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu from office following his determination to conduct credible elections, the latest was through an Originating Summons in Suit No: FCT/HC/GAR/CV/47/2022, at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, by one Somadike Uzoabaka against the Attorney General of the Federation and Professor Mahmood Yakubu, seeking an order of mandatory injunction directing and compelling the INEC chairman to recuse, excuse and exclude himself and or step down as the chairman of INEC pending the investigations against him by the various law enforcement agencies.

“The plaintiff also sought an order of court to stop Prof. Yakubu from holding or assuming any public office for a period of ten years among others, alleging that Yakubu failed to declare his assets at the Code of Conduct Bureau as required by law.

“INEC boss tendered evidence on how he acquired the property in court. Delivering judgment, Justice Maryam Hassan quashed the allegations of false assets declaration and stopped security agents from investigating him.

“It is victory for democracy, due process and the rule of law. Again, the grand plots to derail the ongoing electoral process, create a constitutional crisis, political upheavals and quagmire has been aborted. Nigerians will not tolerate a repeat of the infamous June 12, 1993 presidential election impasse.

“IPAC commends the Judiciary for upholding the rule of law as the temple of justice and beacon of hope for all aggrieved people. Council applauds this landmark judgment that quashed frivolous, spurious, unsubstantiated, wide and baseless allegations against Professor Mahmood Yakubu by political hirelings and their sponsors who are afraid of free and fair elections and want the status quo to remain. The Judiciary should remain steadfast, decisive, firm and unwavering in the discharge of its constitutional duties as the last hope of the common man.

“IPAC warns these reactionary forces to desist from their plots to truncate the nation’s emerging democracy. National interest supersedes primordial interests. Council will resist any attempt to jeopardize the ongoing electoral process that will deepen and strengthen our civil rule. All patriotic Nigerians are in support of INEC’s efforts to sanitize the nation’s electoral process and conduct credible elections that will reflect the will and mandate of the people.

“The era of election rigging, vote buying, ballot snatching and stuffing and falsification of results is over as we collectively take steps to protect and defend our hard-earned democracy since May 29, 1999. This time, every vote must be counted and count in the overall result. We must get it right and move the nation forward in the quest for sustainable democracy in Nigeria.

“We are deeply concerned about the level of insecurity in the country spreading in most of the states, where the Governors are using sponsored taut to stop and destroy campaign materials and the party offices of the opposition political parties in their respective states while the security agencies are helpless despite the assurances from the IGP, DG, SSS, LSA assuring all parties, and warning the Governors from destroying and stopping the activities of all the party candidates, and to make the matter worse, all party signed the Peace Accord to abide by the code of conduct for a peaceful conduct of campaign during the election.

“So far, the peace accord signed by the parties appear not to be effective because nobody is calling the actors to order.

“Therefore, the Council urges security agents to be proactive and ensure adequate protection of lives and property before, during and after the elections.

“The heightened politically motivated killings and attacks are worrisome and should stop immediately for citizens to discharge their civic duties. Security agents should fish out the perpetrators of these heinous crimes and their sponsors to face justice.

“The need for enhanced intelligence gathering, sharing and utilization amongst security agencies to curb acts of political violence cannot be overemphasized in this crucial general election that will redefine the destiny of the nation.

“The 2023 general election is indeed a defining moment for Nigerians to choose new leaders that will pilot the affairs of the nation in the next four years.

“Eligible citizens should collect their PVC and vote for candidates of their choice. The destiny of the nation in the next four years will be determined by the competence, credibility and integrity of elected leaders. Nigerians are urged to vote wisely.

“The whole world is watching us as we go to polls on 25th February 2023, to elect the next president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Council urges local and foreign observers to ensure the polls are transparent and report any malpractices immediately for necessary action, as National Assembly expedite action on Electoral Offences Commission.

“As the umbrella body of the 18 registered political parties, IPAC will continue its roles in consolidating and deepening our democracy, ensuring an environment conducive for successful elections, political stability, enduring democracy and overall wellbeing of Nigerians. Together, we will build a strong, united, peaceful, progressive and equitable democratic nation.