Buhari expresses concern over electoral processes

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday expressed concerns over the integrity of electoral processes in the country in reference to the bye-elections held on Kogi, Bayelsa, Rivers, Edo and Ondo.

The President stated this while swearing in the newly appointed Commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

“You are coming on board at a critical time of our political development. I am sure you have truly observed the bye-elections from Kogi to Bayelsa, Rivers, Edo and Ondo. I am sure you are even concerned about the carnage in some of the elections and the resources dissipated.

“This administration is extremely concerned about the integrity of the electoral processes. You are people of great integrity known throughout the country” the president said urging them to be firm and fair.

Some of the elections held in states referred to by the President were fraught with violence and allegations of partisanship against INEC as well as interferences by security agencies.

The six commissioners confirmed by the Senate and sworn in by the President at a brief event which held before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council include
Ogunmola Ladipo, May Agbamuche, and Abubakar Nahuche. Others include Okechukwu Ibianu, Mohammed Haruna and Ahmad Muazu.

In his terse remarks at the short event, the President charged the commissioners to work at restoring faith in the process so that his administration will go down in history as having served well .

“This administration will demand of you to be firm and fair. What this administration expects is that after we have gone, Nigerians will read the political history and know that we served Nigeria.

“We want every Nigerian to use his PVC cross checked by card reader, that they have been given the opportunity and security in their respective constituencies to elect those they want to elect. The rest is left to their conscience and to God” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the new commissioners, Ibeano thanked the president and Nigerians for the opportunity “howbeit challenging” to serve the country.

” We ask Nigerians for support to continue to improve the advances recorded in the electoral processes so far,” he said adding that commissioners have pledged to discharge their responsibilities in line with the oath of allegiance they swore to.

 

Elizabeth Archibong