Key Takeaways
- ADC chieftain Kenneth Okonkwo criticises President Bola Tinubu's defence of INEC, citing unresolved issues from the 2023 general election.
- Okonkwo accuses Tinubu of speaking on behalf of INEC instead of addressing public concerns about its credibility.
- The ADC chieftain urges INEC to address issues and prove its neutrality ahead of the 2027 general elections.
African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain Kenneth Okonkwo has criticised President Bola Tinubu over his defence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), arguing that the electoral body has not done enough to earn Nigerians’ confidence. Okonkwo spoke on Sunrise Daily, reacting to Tinubu’s recent remarks that INEC remained neutral despite criticisms from opposition parties.
Okonkwo accused the President of speaking on behalf of the electoral commission instead of addressing public concerns about its credibility. He questioned the President’s assertion that the electoral umpire was impartial, insisting that unresolved issues from the 2023 general election continued to cast doubt on the commission’s neutrality.
Unresolved Issues and Electoral Credibility
The ADC chieftain argued that the same people who were once critical of INEC are now saying it is neutral, despite the commission recording a technical glitch in 2023 and not satisfactorily explaining it to Nigerians. Okonkwo urged INEC to be neutral and address the issues, saying the commission cannot simply be declared neutral without earning public trust.
Okonkwo, who is also a spokesperson for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 presidential election, argued that Tinubu’s performance in office would make it difficult for him to secure a second term. According to him, the President should step aside rather than seek re-election.
Opposition Parties and Electoral Challenges
The former Labour Party presidential campaign spokesman also commented on the recent Court of Appeal judgment that overturned an earlier ruling directing INEC to deregister the ADC and four other political parties. He claimed the party had successfully resisted attempts to remove it from Nigeria’s political landscape through the courts.
Okonkwo further accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of attempting to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections, alleging that the party was using various means to undermine Nigeria’s democratic process.
Why This Matters
The debate over INEC's credibility and the role of the president in defending the electoral body has significant implications for Nigeria's democratic process and the upcoming 2027 general elections. Addressing these concerns is crucial to ensuring the integrity and transparency of the electoral system.