Gov Emmanuel, Secondus Task INEC on Free, Fair, Transparent Elections

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to justify its autonomy in the conduct of free, fair and transparent elections in the country.

The national chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus and Gov. Udom Emmanuel watched by a member of the Board of Trustees, BoT, party, Chief Chris Uba, gave the challenge during a meeting by the duo at Government House Uyo.

Secondus stated that free and fair elections serve as platforms of determining the extent of development and the advancement of countries through the prudence of election monitoring bodies  , charging the INEC to collaborate with the security agencies as well as the international observers to perform its obligations without influences.

He remarked that the impending governorship election in Ekiti state was another litmus test in the series of elections starring on the INEC to cash in and offer to Nigerians one of the  pillars of democracy through free and transparent elections, stressing that Nigerians need nothing just but free elections at the critical stage of sustaining democracy in the country.

The PDP boss recalled that the annals of elections in Nigeria have not been with palatable records but crisis generated from the conduct of unfair elections in parts of the country, maintaining that whatever happens during the expected governorship elections in Ekiti state would be the platforms of assessing the journey of democracy in the country.

Secundus said that INEC would not have any excuse for not crossing all the t’s and dotting the i’s to bring transparent elections in Ekiti state to reflect the manner of civilized campaigns so far undertaken by the PDP, describing the PDP members coordinating the campaign as flagships of the party.

Emmanuel watched by the secretary to the state government, SSG, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem said that the PDP was committed to doing everything under the law for the success of the party in the Ekiti state governorship election, emphasizing that INEC owe Nigerians the duty of charting the direction of the 2019 elections.

The governor explained that the PDP has showed Nigerians through campaigns and consultations that governance requires transparency in leadership and the confidence of the followership rather than election umpires tilting loyalty to a particular party at the expense of the PDP, calling for a conducive and open environment for people to support their party of choice.