Okonkwo faults Tinubu’s defence of INEC

Kenneth Okonkwo, a prominent figure in Nigeria's African Democratic Congress (ADC), has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu for publicly defending the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Okonkwo stated that the President's role as INEC's chief spokesperson is a sign of trouble for the country.

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Any country that has a president who has morphed into the chief spokesperson of INEC is in trouble.

Okonkwo argued that INEC has not sufficiently demonstrated its impartiality to Nigerians, particularly regarding the controversies surrounding the 2023 general election. He pointed to the unexplained technical glitch during the election as an example of outstanding issues that have not been satisfactorily addressed. Okonkwo contrasted Tinubu's current defense of INEC with his past criticisms of the commission during the 2015 campaign, when he suggested forming a parallel government if INEC rigged the election.

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You can imagine President Tinubu telling the whole world that INEC is neutral. The same Tinubu who, during the 2015 campaign, said they would form a parallel government if INEC rigged the election.

Furthermore, Okonkwo advised President Tinubu against seeking a second term, suggesting that the President should consider leaving office after his first term, given the administration's performance in areas like security and governance. He also commented on the recent Court of Appeal judgment that overturned an order to deregister the ADC and four other parties. Okonkwo expressed confidence in the ADC's resilience, stating that the party had successfully resisted attempts to be eliminated through legal means.

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An INEC that recorded a technical glitch in 2023 and has not satisfactorily explained it to Nigerians cannot simply be declared neutral. We are urging INEC to be neutral; as of today, it is not.

Okonkwo accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of undermining democratic competition and attempting to restrict opposition parties. He asserted that the ADC's legal victory demonstrated their ability to overcome such challenges, portraying the opposition's efforts as failing and falling "like a pack of cards."

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Tinubu should not even allow the election to hold; he should resign and go in peace.