Dele Momodu, publisher of Ovation magazine, says the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has lost the confidence of many Nigerians.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Momodu said INEC has become “impotent,” adding that the commission must do more to restore public trust in the country’s electoral process.
“I think INEC has a lot of work to do and a lot of grounds to cover for the majority of Nigerians to believe they are serious as an umpire,” he said.
“The impression currently is that INEC is impotent, and you cannot blame Nigerians for that. There is a Yoruba proverb that a woman whose child has been killed before by a witch sees every woman as a witch.
“So, INEC has always dashed the hopes of Nigerians. So, don’t be surprised if Nigerians see INEC as a witch that will continue to kill and suck the blood of its victims.
“Despite all the resources poured into INEC, it usually fails so glaringly and spectacularly.”
Momodu cited the forthcoming governorship election in Osun state as an example, saying that despite being an election in just one of Nigeria’s 36 states, it already resembles a war.
In recent weeks, political tension has heightened ahead of Osun state’s governorship election scheduled for August 15.
Supporters of Ademola Adeleke, the governor, who is seeking a second term on the platform of Accord, and those of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are trading accusations and verbal attacks.
Momodu claimed that soldiers and police officers had been deployed to the state, while some individuals had also brought in thugs.
“We saw in 1993 how the June 12 election ran very smoothly. But today we don’t have anything close to that,” he said.
“Nigeria should be improving, not deteriorating, not degenerating. And the umpire cannot be different from those who appointed them.
“If those who appointed people believe in free and fair elections, they will do everything possible to manipulate, to manoeuvre, to meander and make sure that they have their way by hook or by crook.”
Cable NG
Follow the OSUNDOTLIFE channel on WhatsAppKindly share this story | All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from OSUNDOTLIFE.
Contact: editor@osun.life
WhatsApp: 📲 +2348092333666