From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Grassroots Centre for Rights and Civic Orientation has told the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be transparent in the ongoing recall process of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Senate.
Some constituents from the Kogi Central had appended their signatures for the recall of Akpoti-Uduaghan on the ground that her six months suspension by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, from legislative activities would negatively affect the constituency.
The Centre said the advice was expedient due to discrepancies in the number of voters and incorrect addresses of some of the constituents.
Executive Director of the Centre, Armsfree Ajanaku, in a statement, yesterday, noted that most of the citizens were deceived under the guise of palliative items distribution, only to discover that their signatures and biometric details were being collected for the purpose of a recall.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must ensure strict adherence to due process, transparency and accountability in its management of the process.
“As Nigeria’s Election Management Body (EMB), INEC must be vigilant in order not to fall for the antics of desperate and corrupt political forces that will stop at nothing to subvert the express democratic wishes and aspirations of the electorate.
“From our close observation of this recall process so far, underhand tactics, the misinformation of a larger section of constituents and the use of unethical methods to hoodwink and deceive citizens have been on constant display.
“Grassroots Centre is concerned about the integrity and credibility of the process, particularly after several online videos showed how several constituents were deceived and hoodwinked that they were being invited for empowerment and palliatives.
“Many of these unsuspecting citizens came out to collect palliative items, only to discover that their signatures and biometric details were being collected for the purpose of a recall.
“A signature collection process, which is already marred by blatant signature buying, and all manner of unethical inducement should be a source of concern to INEC. Recall signature buying, like vote buying, is criminal and should be denounced by all well-meaning stakeholders.
“This Centre has also observed and documented online footage showing some political actors and their agents sitting in the comfort of their living rooms to compile fake signatures for the recall.
“These barefaced falsification and underhand tactics, which amount to forgeries, impersonation and an attempt to subvert the real intention of constituents, cannot be waived off by INEC as it superintends the process.
“This point is critical because the integrity of the process will be determined by the authenticity of the signatures collected.”