CUPP Blames INEC For Inconclusive Polls In Anambra State, Demands Yakubu’s Resignation

The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has blamed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the inconclusive governorship poll in Anambra State.

CUPP in a statement by its spokesperson, Barrister Chukwudi Ezeobika alleged that the electoral umpire failed in its duties to conduct a hitch-free governorship election in Anambra.

The statement which questioned INEC’s preparations for the 2023 general elections said it has become imperative to ask such questions if the electoral body had so many challenges in conducting the Anambra governorship election which is an off-season and single poll.

He argued that the failure of the BVAS machines in many polling units has exposed the incompetencies of INEC and its workers.

Ezenwoko’s Blog recalls the Independent National Electoral Commission had in the early hours of Monday, declared the November 6, governorship election in Anambra state inconclusive.

The Returning Officer for the Gubernatorial Election, Professor Florence Obi made the announcement at the INEC head office in Awka, Anambra capital stating that there was no election in Ihiala Local Government Area of the state.

The CUPP statement in a reaction to the development further accused INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu of insincerity, alledging that the INEC boss flagrantly disregards court orders.

Ezeobika in the statement called on Yakubi to resign as the INEC chairman.

According to the statement, “Having commenced preparations for this election for over a year, it is indeed worrisome that many indigenes of Anambra State who turned out en masse to vote on Saturday, could not exercise their franchise due to gross incompetence on the part of INEC and its Staff.

“Having extended the scheduled election to a future date, the cost implications of such extension on Security agencies and Stakeholders especially political parties, cannot be overemphasized and currently hangs on a balance.

“The inability of INEC to organize and conduct a single gubernatorial election in one out of the 36 States of the federation calls for serious concerns and clearly confirms that the Independent National Electoral Commission (as currently constituted) lacks the capacity and or competence to conduct future elections in Nigeria.

“This ineptitude on the part of Frof. Mahmood Yakubu led INEC has furthermore, exposed a disturbing level of lack of sincerity and trust in the Chairman of INEC despite several assurances from him, of a credible election in Anambra State.

“Declaring the election as inconclusive has once more echoed our protracted concerns and calls for the removal of Prof. Yakubu Mahmood as the Chairman of the Commission as he remains grossly incompetent and uniquely unqualified to conduct future elections in Nigeria and or continue as the Chairman of INEC.

“His continued disobedience to subsisting Orders and Judgments of Courts of competent jurisdictions shows Prof. Mahmood Yakubu’s disdain and disregard for the Rule of Law as he is in contempt of the Court of Appeal Judgment which ordered the Commission to relist 22 political parties.

“The effect of this wrongful exclusion of some political parties by Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and his disobedience to subsisting Court of Appeal Judgement has dealt a huge blow to and voided the entire exercise in Anambra State.

“In view of the foregoing, we call for the resignation of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu as the Chairman of INEC as he no longer commands the respect attaching to such office and further demand a thorough investigation into the huge sums budgeted for the Anambra State gubernatorial election which has brought so much shame and embarrassment to Ndi Anambra in particular and the Nation at large.