LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE Of NAIJA)- The Federal Government of Nigeria said on Wednesday that President Muhammadu Buhari cannot immediately withdraw the nomination of four Resident Electoral Commissioners based on allegations that have not been proven
Recall that a coalition of CSOs has been kicking against some of the nominees of the President and has failed the constitutional test of non-partisanship and unquestionable integrity.
The Federal Government directed those, especially members of the Civil Society Organizations, CSO, and a cross-section of Nigerians kicking against the nomination of the RECs, over their membership of political parties contrary to the provision of the Electoral Law to take their case to the Senate.
Fielding questions from State House correspondents after the weekly Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting presided over by President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on whether the rejection of four or the nominees does not worry the government, Lai Mohammed directed those opposing the nominees should take their case to the Senate that has the constitutional power to screen the nominees.
According to him, ““I think you are going to be very fair to Mr. President. Over the last couple of years, you had very transparent, free and fair elections. We all know what used to obtain before we came.
“Before we came, it was quite almost impossible for a ruling party to lose election in any state maybe governorship. But that has changed under President Muhammadu Buhari. This is because the President has insisted on free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria.
“So there are no basis for anyone to express doubt that the 2023 General Elections will not be free, fair and credible. The President has been clear on this and that will not change in 2023 General Elections”, Mohammed posited.
“And these could be seen in the governorship elections in Edo Anambra, Ekiti states and recently in Osun state where the incumbent Governor lost the election. Mr. President has lived up to his commitment to free and fair elections and I’m sure the same will apply come 2023.
“As to the nominees that are being challenged by social media warriors and by some critics, I don’t think it is the business of the President to immediately throw out the nominees, based on allegations which have not been proven.
“I think the whole idea is that these people will go for confirmation in the National Assembly, the same questions that are being raised in the public domain will be asked there.
“I think this media trial is quite worrisome because even when these people are cleared of any wrongdoings, nobody comes back to apologise to them. So, my advice is, yes, there’ll be allegations against anybody. It does not mean that that fellow is guilty. Let’s wait for the process to be completed.”
