The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) charges the Chairman of the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, not to succumb
to pressure by the Presidency, to return Mrs. Amina Zakari as Director of
Operations.
The PDP also charges INEC not to change its statute-backed stand on the
exclusion of Zamfara state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC)
from presenting candidates in the 2019 general elections, following its
failure to conduct congresses.
The PDP cautioned that Nigerians are already aware of the pressure from
the Buhari Presidency to return Amina Zakari, a blood relation of
President Muhammadu Buhari, as Director Operation, so that they can use
her to manipulate the electoral processes and rig the election for
President Buhari.
While the PDP notes the redeployment of Amina Zakari to another
directorate, the party nevertheless, reaffirms its position that her
continuous stay in the commission constitutes a threat to free, fair and
credible 2019 general elections, given her relationship with President
Buhari, who is a major contender in the election.
Amina Zakari’s removal as Director of Operations has been hailed by
majority of Nigerians, a fact, which shows that voters had already lost
confidence in her integrity to hold such a sensitive position, for which
they prefer her outright removal from the commission.
Furthermore, Nigerians are also already abreast of the provisions of the
law leading to the exclusion of Zamfara state APC chapter from presenting
candidates for the elections and we caution INEC against any
contemplations to change the rules for the APC.
The case of Amina Zakari and that of Zamfara APC constitute another direct
integrity test for Prof. Yakubu on his capacity, integrity and readiness
for free, fair and credible general elections in 2019.
The PDP therefore charges Prof. Yakubu to ensure that he remains on the
side of the people and take urgent steps to weed the commission of
compromised officials, as Nigerians will accept nothing short of a
transparent process in their quest for a replacement for the reckless,
vindictive, incompetent and anti-people Buhari-led APC administration.