The Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, has called for the immediate removal of Prof Attahiru Jega as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
MASSOB threatened to disrupt election in the South-East zone of the country if Jega was not ousted before the general elections.
Leader of the group, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike stated this at a world press conference held at the MASSOB headquarters annex, New Owerri, Imo State on Wednesday.
In his address entitled Jega Must Go, Uwazuruike asserted, “it has become increasingly worrisome that despite strong allegations of bias against the INEC boss, Attahiru Jega, he, Jega, is still preparing to conduct the forth coming general elections.
“In such crisis, as usual, the safety of live and property of Ndigbo in the North and other parts of Nigeria will be targets for destruction.
“From the onset, Jega was not prepared for free and fair elections. He demonstrated that by his infamous 30,000 polling units, where he allotted more than two-third of the polling units to the North. Despite public outcry, the Senate also passed a resolution stating that the polling units should not be used. Still Jega went ahead and converted the polling units to voting centres in the North,” he said.
The MASSOB leader also faulted Prof Jega for successfully distributing more than 90 per cent of the Permanent Voters’ Cards, PVCs, in the volatile Northern states such as Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states but failed to distribute 50 per cent of the same in the South before the elections were shifted.
The freedom fighter noted that Jega would be biased if he was allowed to conduct the elections.
His words, “The Governor of Plateau State, Mr Jonah Jang has taken INEC to court based on the fact that the PVCs meant for distribution in his state is yet to arrive. Besides, other states governors are still complaining that PVCs meant for their states are yet to be printed.
“Jega wants to organise a kangaroo election where he intends to pronounce his preferred candidate the winner of the election.
“This much has been stated by the leaders of the South-East, South-South Leaders Forum led by Chief Edwim Clark. The Forum also exhibited evidences of the minutes of meetings by Jega and members of Northern Elders’ Forum. Till date Jega is yet to refute the allegations”, he said.
“In so far as many believe that Jega has compromised, the only option left for him is to quit. He is not the only person that can conduct election in Nigeria. Any national commissioner of the INEC can do so.”
He disclosed that the people of the South-East, South-South and South-West had passed a vote of no confidence on Jega.
“If Jega so insists in conducting the elections he may well conduct the forthcoming elections only in the North. Jega cannot conduct a pre-determined election for the South.”
He vowed that there would not be any election in the South if Jega remained the INEC boss.
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