PDP demands sack of INEC boss

Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Mrs. Amina Zakari

The Ondo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has condemned a statement credited to the acting Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mrs. Amina Zakari, that the April 11 House of Assembly election in Ilaje state constituencies I and II was not credible.

The PDP asked President Muhammadu Buhari to sack Zakari.

Zakari, who was represented by a former INEC National Commissioner in charge of Ekiti, Oyo and Ogun states, Prof. Lai Olurode, made the statement at the inauguration of the official quarters of the Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner in Akure, on Wednesday .

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The State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, in a statement, on Thursday said the party was surprised that the INEC chairman could make such a statement.

The party called on President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the INEC boss.

The statement read, “This comment by Mrs. Zakari through her representative, Prof. Lai Olorode, is not only unfortunate, it is prejudicial and calculated to affect the proceedings and outcome of pending cases concerning the Ilaje constituencies and, therefore, it constitutes a contempt of court process.

“We are amazed that the INEC chairman could make such a comment on this matter at this crucial period and, therefore, believe very firmly that it is calculated to achieve a purpose that is detrimental to the interest of our party. Irrespective of her intent, we also feel duty bound to let the general public know the issues that characterised the election.

“The election was conducted on April 11, 2015.Results were collated and released in all the state constituencies across the nation. The peculiar issue about Ilaje I and II was that the result were collated peacefully and results declared by the Returning Officers of the two constituencies only for these same officers to appear in Akure and declare that they were forced to declare the results against their wish.

“The law is, however, clear that once a result is delivered, the Returning Officer cannot reserve himself and INEC too does not possess the power to discard the result and the only option open to whoever is aggrieved is to go to court.”