By-Election Results Demonstrate INEC’s Commitment to Ensuring Free and Fair Polls, Says Oyekanmi
The Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Rotimi Oyekanmi, proclaimed on Wednesday that the results of the August 16 by-elections underscore the commission’s dedication to conducting elections that are credible, free, and fair, notwithstanding the misinformation surrounding its activities.
While addressing the skepticism expressed by some Nigerians regarding the electoral process, Oyekanmi asserted, “INEC is deeply committed to ensuring credible, free, and fair elections.”
“The issue seems to stem from a significant amount of misinformation concerning the commission’s electoral conduct,” he articulated during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.
He elucidated that politicians frequently mischaracterize the commission’s efforts, contingent upon the electoral outcomes.
“It highlights the regrettable tendency of politicians who enter elections solely focused on victory, and when they succeed, they lavish praise on the commission, yet when they fail, they accuse it of electoral malpractice.
“The by-election we recently conducted, along with its outcomes in 16 constituencies, illustrates that the commission is striving to ensure free and fair elections,” he explained.
According to him, the integrity of the process has rendered elections more competitive nationwide.
“Elections have now become more competitive because we guarantee that the process is free and fair,” he stated.
He implored citizens to dismiss false information and engage actively in the electoral process.
“We endeavor to safeguard the sanctity of the vote, assuring citizens to register, not only register but also secure their Permanent Voter Card (PVC) and participate in elections as we progress,” Oyekanmi added.
The elections were conducted in 13 states across Nigeria, where voters participated in polls to elect new representatives in the Senate, House of Representatives, and state houses of assembly.
The states affected include Jigawa, Edo, Ogun, Oyo, Adamawa, Anambra, Kaduna, Kano, Taraba, Kogi, Niger, Enugu, and Zamfara.
The elections encompassed two senatorial districts in Anambra and Edo states, five federal constituencies in Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Ogun, and Oyo states, and nine state constituencies in Adamawa, Anambra, Kaduna, Kano, Kogi, Niger, Taraba, and Zamfara states.
Additionally, the court-mandated re-run election in Enugu South 1 State Constituency of Anambra State and the Ghari/Tsanyawa State Constituency of Kano State were conducted concurrently with the by-elections.
