The PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Ogun State, has condemned the visit of Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in the state.
The organization described it as a gross violation of the independence of the commission and a subtle way to blackmail and compromise the electoral body.
A statement by Steve Oliyide, the group’s Director, Media and Publicity, said Governor Amosun, being a candidate of the All Peoples Congress (APC) in the April 11, 2015 governorship election just like every other candidate standing for election, has no legal and moral right to visit the INEC office to complain about the distribution of the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) in the state.
“This is crass opportunism, and open blackmail, aimed principally to compromise the integrity, neutrality and independence of the election umpire. We condemned this in totality,” the statement said.
“There are other windows open and available to vent any percieved, assumed or imagined ‘irregularities’ in the conduct and operations of any independent commissions and or agencies.
“For instance, Governor Amosun could issue press statement, grantt press interviews or even write an official but open letter to the commission to register his protest, especially since he feels strongly about the unpopularity and dwindling political fortunes of his All Progressive Congress (APC) political parties in the coming elections.
“Descending to such adventurous low of a visit to the commission is the height of executive cluelessness and a gross sign of desperation on a dwindling political fortune”.
Oliyide emphasised that “by letters of the constitution, INEC is an independent commission, and not only must it be seen to be so; the sanctity of this ‘independence’ must be well preserved.
“It is ONLY under President Ebele Goodluck Jonathan that the neutrality, independence and autonomy of the commission has been absolutely protected and guaranteed, and no governor should be allowed to use his office to remove from this”.
“The hallmark of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration is in the strict compliance to the Rule of Law, and this, many Nigerins have come to appreciate and respect with a resolve to return him by voting for him in the March 28, 2015 elections,” the statement concluded.
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