INEC’s inconsistency over Bauchi guber elections worrisome – Civil society 

The inconsistent decisions taken by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the last one week over the governorship election in Bauchi state is worrisome and capable of staining its credibility, Alliance for Defence of Democracy and Justice, has said. 

INEC on Friday night formally set aside the cancellation of results of gubernatorial election in Tafawa Balewa Local Government in the state.

The electoral body also  approved Tuesday, March 19 for continuation of the collation in Tafawa Balewa LGA and correction of some errors in Ningi LGA before the final announcement of the winner.

Governor Mohammed Abubakar of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Bala Mohammed of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are the two major contenders in the polls.

A statement by the civil  society’s national convener Muntaqa Mudassir and  communication director Istifanus Sarki said they are worried by the inconsistent decisions INEC took within one week.

They said the “electoral body’s inconsistency is capable of eroding its independence, impartially and credibility before the eyes of Nigerians, and Bauchi people in particular.”

“We hold INEC in high esteem. But the event in the last one week in Bauchi state is giving us a source of concern. The INEC decision to declare the governorship elections inclusive, to fixing a date for supplementary elections and now setting aside its two decisions is questionable and capable of eroding the remaining confidence Nigerians have on the electoral umpire,” the statement said.

They, however, said the Governor Muhammad’s four year’s tenure speak for itself in terms of execution of developmental projects that have direct bearing on the people of Bauchi state.

The civil society said the no amount of propaganda can erase the ominous PDP’s antecedents in the  minds of the people of the state, adding that the PDP’s antecedents force people to reject in 2015 and during the last governorship elections.