The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has described allegations by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), that it is working with the All Progressives Congress (APC), to rig the Edo governorship election holding on Sept. 19 as the usual unfounded concoction.
The INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Planning, Monitoring and Strategy Committee (PMSC), Dr. Mustafa Lecky, reacting to accusation by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, that he is working with the APC Governorship Candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu and the APC former National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, to rig the state election, Dr. Lecky said that the allegation is a clear figment of his wide imagination.
“Traditionally, these sorts of allegations are not unexpected on the eve of a major election, I mean where political parties will spew out all manner of things about people. The downside of that is that they are stylishly tarnishing the image of the people and they have no fact about what they are saying.
“It just shows that somebody who is the spokesman of PDP, whom I suppose is a long standing politician in the party, should know about electoral process and how INEC functions. He should know that INEC is never contesting any election.
“I am not contesting, I am not campaigning and I do not belong to any political party. Probably that is what political parties are used to because I am not a member.
“Clearly, this is just a figment of his wide imagination. It is not true, it is not possible and I don’t know why he will link with me with APC.
“I am not a card carrying member and I have never been. I don’t vote, I don’t exercise any franchise.
“If you look at it critically you will know that some things don’t make sense, but not unexpected at this time of a major election.”
Dr. Lecky said that it was unexpected as some of his colleagues had also been accused at different times without any fact to back the allegations.
The national commissioner said that he had been doing his job and had established his credibility over the years, assuring Nigerians that INEC would conduct credible election in Edo state without fear or favour for any political party or candidate.
