Anambra Guber: AD Calls For Jega’s Removal

The Alliance for Democracy, AD, has expressed reservations over the ability of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, to conduct a credible governorship election in Anambra State.

The party said its current stand was taken after a review of alleged illegalities being perpetuated by the commission under Jega’s leadership.

In a press statement made available to journalists at the end of its National Executive Council, NEC, meeting, the AD said as long as Jega remained in the INEC, Nigerians should not expect a free and fair polls in Anambra State, let alone the 2015 general elections.
The statement signed by the national chairman of the party, Rev. Okechukwu Obioha accused the INEC helmsman of disregarding court judgements with impunity, stressing that under such situation, he lacked the credibility to preside over election in Nigeria.

It said the INEC under Jega was in the habit of choosing which court order to obey, noting that a case in point was a judgement delivered by Hon. Justice A.I Chikere of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/473/06, which gave recognition to Alliance for Democracy led by Chief Michael A. Koleoso and not Senator Mojisola Akinfenwa’s faction.

It continued that “Chief M.A Koleoso left Alliance for Democracy to Action Congress of Nigeria, with some NEC members and INEC by their letter of the 12th January 2011 recognized that movement by writing Chief M.A Koleoso and copying Rev. Okechukwu Obioha who was the National Vice Chairman South-East and the remaining most senior NEC member to conduct a congress and convention”.

The party added that even after it acted in line with the commission’s directive and election Obioha as its national chairman on the 14th day of January, 2011, the INEC under Jega had further made a u-turn and started recognizing Akinfenwa, stressing “more so, there is neither a setting aside nor stay of execution of the above judgment in any court in Nigeria”.
The AD NEC equally applauded President Goodluck Jonathan over the planned national conference, describing it as timely and necessary towards the continuous existence of Nigeria.

“We support the recent bold position and the inauyguration of the committee for the National Conference chaired by Senator Dr. Femi Okorumu. We share on the wisdom and courage of President Goodluck Jonathan, for this jaw-jawa cannot come on a time other than now”, the party said.

On the lingering ASUU strike, the party described it as disturbing and worrisome, noting that “while we admit and appreciate that the Federal Government has extended an olive branch to the striking lectuers, we do plead that the government should in the interest of parents and students use the gains of SURE-P to intervene so that our children will go back to school without delay”.
While it commended the President’s transformation efforts, it lamented the level of corruption under Jonathan’s leadership.

“The Nigerian society is very much awash with so much show of ill-gotten wealth. Institutions of anti-corruption should show why they should not be scrapped”, the AD further stated.

Source: Daily Post