SDP calls for true independence for INEC

The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Malam Shehu Gabam, has called for true independence for the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to add credibility to Nigeria’s elections.

Gabam made this call while speaking with newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.

He appealed to the executive, judiciary and legislature to act within the law to boost the electoral processes in the country.

According to him, the commission did its best in the conduct of 2023 general election and the off-cycle election, particularly in area of logistics delivery during election.

Gabam, however, said that INEC’s performance was still being affected by the huge influence of the executive.

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“Let me tell you the honest truth. INEC is not independent. A lot of people do not understand it when I raise these issues.

“There is nothing INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu can do. He is completely handicapped in conducting elections.

“What he can do is to produce election materials, deliver them to every state and polling unit, deploy INEC or ad hoc staff to supervise the election’’ Gabam said.

He said that by law, the executive, under Mr President, was responsible for appointing INEC chairman, national commissioners and Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs).