Presidential poll: PDP demands INEC chairman’s resignation

• Seeks travel ban on Yakubu, others

From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, demanded the immediate resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, over alleged violation of the Electoral Act in the conduct of the February 25 presidential poll.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, who made the demand at a press briefing in Abuja, also called on the security agencies to investigate the several allegations against the INEC boss and other officials of the commission.

Ologunagba, while stating that Nigerians do no longer have confidence in the capacity of Yakubu to continue to preside over the electoral commission, stated that his exit would be the first step to restoring public confidence in INEC.

According to him, “for emphasis, while Section 64 (4) (a) and (b) expressly requires the INEC Chairman as the Chief Returning Officer to announce only results that were transmitted directly from the Polling Units, Sections 64 (6) (a)-(d) and 65 (1) (c) compel INEC, in the case of disputes, complaints or objections regarding a collated result or the result of an election from any Polling Unit, to take steps including the review of collation where they are made contrary to the provisions of the Law, Regulations, Guidelines and Manual issued for the election.

“By flagrantly violating these provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 as well as INEC’s Regulations, Guidelines and Manual for the election, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu is not only culpable of serious electoral offence but also betrayed, thrashed and threw overboard the trust, confidence and hope Nigerians reposed in him and the Electoral Commission to deliver a free, fair and credible election in the country.

“The continuing stay of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu in office as Chairman of INEC is therefore vexatious, injurious to the integrity of the Electoral Commission and an unpardonable assault to the credibility of our electoral process, the sensibility of Nigerians and the International Community.”