Coalition tackles INEC chairman over Bauchi elections
A Coalition of Advocates of Democracy with Conscience (CADC) yesterday cautioned the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, that the cancellation of rerun elections by the commission is capable of fomenting political violence in Bauchi state.
A statement by the national president o the political pressure group, Alhaji Idi bn Hameed and his secretary general Prince Amos Zephaniah said the decision is capable of being hijacked by some undesirable elements in the state.
“We observed with keen interest that the cancellation of the supplementary governorship elections earlier scheduled by the commission may cause confusion and likely chaos in the state that is already politically tensed,” the statement said.
The pressure group said they are worried that this development is happening under an INEC chairman who is also from Bauchi state. “The political tension is high and we find it difficult to understand why the electoral commission superintended by a son of the state will stocking the flame instead of extinguishing it,” the statement said.
They said they are drawing the attention of the INEC chief to the political heat the decision of the commission has thrown Bauchi state into. They also urged the people of Bauchi to remain law-abiding.
Last Friday, INEC set aside the cancellation of results of the gubernatorial election in Tafawa Balewa Local Government in the state. It also approved tomorrow, March 19 for the continuation of the collation in Tafawa Balewa LGA and correction of some errors in Ningi Local Government before the final announcement of the winner.
Governor Mohammed Abubakar of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Bala Mohammed of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are the two major contenders in the polls.