Correct lapses before state elections, The Compatriots tells INEC  

By Zika Bobby 

A group, The Compatriots, has urged NEC to rectify all lapses observed in the February 25 presidential and National Assembly  elections and use same to conduct a hitch-free polls this Saturday. 

In a post-election statement signed by its chairman and former governor of Akwa-Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah, it applauded Nigerians for their enthusiastic and orderly participation in the polls and urged them to sustain the tempo in the forthcoming state polls. 

“It is clear that a lot of work needs to be done to restore confidence in the systems and processes of INEC. With the state-level elections holding this week, it is very important that all faulty systems and processes of INEC be rectified; that all preparations as well as provision of security are seriously addressed,” Attah said. 

The  group, however, expressed concern over reports of violence in some parts of the country.

“The  adverse impact of election management left much to be improved upon because of the process gaps and lack of transparency during the collation of the results.” 

Attah said mass participation of youths in the electoral process remains an encouraging development for the political future of the country.  He commended aggrieved candidates for exploring the legal window to challenge the outcome of the result.  

He regretted the loss of lives during the polls, especially of youth corps member in Rivers State.

“The global expectation for democratic elections is that they will be transparent, free, fair, and credible. Only an election that reflects the sovereign will of the electorate can convey legitimacy on any government.  We therefore note with regret that our elections were tarnished by process failures and lack of transparency.”

 Now that the first phase of the process is over, the contestants have either decided to affirm their victories or challenge their loss in court. The decision of aggrieved contestants to seek redress through the courts reinforces the foundation of our democratic system and the rule of law. It is critical to the sustainability of our system that the judiciary is impartial and retains credibility with the people. It is therefore vital that the judiciary dispense justice in a manner that reflects impartiality and consistency with the merits of the cases.” 

The group said much work was needed to restore confidence in the system and processes of the electoral body, even as it called on Nigerians not to despair, remain law-bidding and once again turn out in large numbers to exercise their inalienable sovereign rights to elect their leaders and representatives during the March 11 state elections.