INEC Chairman Calls UK Govt For Assistance

Professor Yakubu

Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, has on Thursday, November 26, called on the government of the United Kingdom to render technical assistance in running the commission towards conducting more free, fair and credible elections in the country.

The INEC chairman made this call at the reception of the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright, stressing that his first priority at the commission was to bring professionalism into election administration in the country and as well institutionalise ICT-based solutions, Daily Post reports.

The professor promised to ensure that the commission consolidates on the modest successes that were recorded in the last general elections.

The chairman said that Nigeria must start moving in the direction of where elections are held with the identities of the chief electoral officers not being known just like what other countries do during their elections.

He said that the success of the last general elections and the recent inconclusive governorship election in Kogi state was made largely possible with the deployment of ICT.

The commission’s chairman pledged to improve engagement with major stakeholders for maximum participation, with emphasis on women, youths, the disadvantaged, internally-displaced persons and other vulnerable groups.

The British High Commissioner on his part expressed the readiness of his home government to partner with the electoral commission in order to deepen Nigeria’s democracy, and would want a comprehensive brief from the commission stating major areas of necessary assistance.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party  recently asked the INEC to declare Idris Wada, its candidate at the last inconclusive Kogi state governorship election as the winner.

Also in line with who wears the crown, James Faleke, the running to the late Abubakar Audu, wrote a letter to the commission asking it to declare him the governor-elect following last Saturday, November 21, governorship poll.

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