The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Wednesday played host to an unusual visitor in the person of Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti state who paid an unscheduled visit to the INEC headquarters.
Fayose said he was at the INEC National Headquarters to register some of his fears ahead of the July 2018 governorship poll in his state.
The governor who spoke to newsmen after an initial decline said the activities of opposition parties ahead of the July election has raised some concerns which according to him are disturbing, and hence the visit to INEC for clarifications.
He said: “As a public officer, I feel that it is important to express my disfavor on issues that have to do with INEC and some few other concerns and the bragging of some of the opposition figures at the centre in respect of the governorship election in July 2018. I said I should come and have an interactive session with INEC and share my fears. INEC is a public place, a public office and any citizen of this nation should be able to ask questions. I have come here to ask questions as it affects July 14, 2018, election in my state and as it affects the 2019 general elections.
We hear a lot of things and we feel it I within our right to ask INEC questions and I was well received by all the national commissioners seated and I express my concern of what I have heard and what have been making the rounds. It was a very useful session, quiet educative.”
On the take away from the interactive session with the management of the electoral body, he said, “so far so good they have been able to allay my fears. I don’t want to sit down there and assume anything. I am a man of action. I am very proactive and I would not take a chance. I felt I should see them and ask questions and I have asked a number of questions and they have answered me. They have gone through the whole process, what to expect from INEC and they promised not to descend. That is assuring and I am satisfied. If I have further issues or questions to ask, I won’t fail to ask. “
On the party stand on underaged voting, he said, “anyone would be concerned by underaged voting; you will not blame the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for protesting or any party. It is the duty of INEC to equally allay their fears. You see if you are the umpire, the referee, you must not only be neutral but you must be seen to be neutral. It is a shame for you to see people bringing children of four years, five years to register. For our nation, it is a shame. For the level of our democracy, it is a shame. Today in the 21st century it is a shame.
“But you want to believe that INEC said it will look into it, I want to give them the benefit of doubt so that they can look into it and address the Nigerian nation because the buck stops at Mahmood Yakubu’s table and I am sure he would not want to compromise anything for his name, that is my view. ”
