Atiku says doesn’t trust INEC headed by Yakubu, a ‘hypocrite’
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has dismissed the promise made by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Mahmood Yakubu to conduct a credible governorship vote on March 11 as medicine after death.
He reacted at the weekend after Yakubu met with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) told them to ensure the strict use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which failed in the presidential ballot on February 25.
“All staff found to be negligent, whether they are regular or ad hoc officials, including collation and returning officers, must not be involved in the forthcoming elections.
“RECs must also immediately initiate disciplinary action where prima facie evidence of wrongdoing has been established,” Yakubu said at the meeting.
Atiku countered that Yakubu’s assurances are “worthless and unconvincing” in a statement he issued through his Public Communication Assistant Phrank Shaibu.
He said Yakubu is trying to save his face after conducting the worst election in Nigeria since independence in 1960, and warned him not to try to deceive Nigerians again after the sham of the presidential vote.
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Yakubu a hypocrite, says Atiku
“The INEC chairman is nothing but a hypocrite. After promising to upload the results from polling units in real time, he allowed himself to be used, or he used himself in subverting the will of Nigerians,” the statement said, per The PUNCH.
“It will shock you to note that seven days since the election ended, the full results have still not been uploaded on INEC’s result viewing portal.
“The election was so bad that it failed to meet the expectations of Nigerians as restated by several foreign media outlets and observers as well as Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard of the US.
“Rather than apologise, the INEC chairman is trying to shift blame.
“After INEC’s abysmal performance at the scam election of February 25, he is now trying to save face, insisting that errant staff would be punished and would not be deployed in the March 11 governorship poll. This is arrant nonsense.
“Is INEC planning on training new staff within five days that will replace the so-called errant ones? Is he going to recruit new staff or deploy some from outer space?
“Yakubu should be man enough to own up to his failure. A fish rots from the head down, and that is what has happened at INEC.
“Rather than suspend any staff, the INEC chairman is the one that needs to step aside as his first act of contrition.
“Already, over 300,000 Nigerians have signed a petition on Change.Org to demand that the US, UK and Europe place a visa ban on the INEC chairman.
“This shows you the general feeling of Nigerians. Yakubu should hide his face in shame.”