Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party, and African Democratic Party have demanded Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Mahmood Yakubu to stand down.
The three parties in a joint press conference on Tuesday, in Abuja alleged that the February 2023 presidential election was characterized with violence, rigging and intimidation of voters.
The parties urged that new elections be held.
“We are therefore constrained on this development to state that INEC compromised the integrity of this elections even before collation begun at the polling units.
“Section 60 sub-section 5 of the Electoral Act specifies that the presiding officer shall transfer the results, including the number of accredited voter and the outcomes of the ballots in a manner as prescribed by the commission.
“As a result of a failure to comply with the terms of the Electoral Act and the guidelines, it is important that all recently submitted results on the IReV portal be rectified prior to their release.
“INEC went back on that promise…
This election is not free, nor is it fair, nor is it transparent.”
“We will not participate in the current electoral process at the National Collation Centre, and we demand that this sham election be canceled immediately.
“We also demand that a new election be conducted in conformity with INEC’s procedures.”
The LP National Chairman, Julius Abure, articulated the viewpoint of the three opposition parties when he stated, “We consequently call on Yakubu to resign from his post.”
The parties requested that Yakubu step down from his position as INEC Chairman so that a “credible personality” from outside the commission could take his place and oversee the process in a way that is acceptable to all parties involved and restores the confidence of the international community, the democratic process, and the institutions.
We owe it to the millions of Nigerians who have placed their trust in us and our presidential candidates to protect our nation against the forces that aim to divide us.
We urge President Mohammadu Buhari to keep his pledge to Nigerians to leave the country with a legacy of free, fair, transparent, and credible elections.
President Buhari This is a time when your honesty will be put to the test. Use your position to save Nigeria from this electoral mishandling and to preserve your democratic heritage, which is under threat.