The Niger State chapter of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties said the All Progressives Congress in the state has not enough reason to demand for the redeployment of the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Dr. Emmanuel Onucheyo, over allegations of financial inducement against him.
The CNPP stated that the allegation lacks substance following its findings, which revealed that the fund in question was for the conduct of voters education and publicity.
It said the fund not even been released by the Niger State Government to the electoral umpire in the state.
The state chairman of CNPP, Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko, who stated this at a press briefing in Minna, said the APC against this backdrop has no valid reason to call for the transfer of the state REC before the bye-election for Niger East Senatorial District.
Tanko explained that considering the fact that the political parties are the target beneficiaries of the subject of the fund requested from the state government, INEC deserved commendation.
He said: “It is our belief that what the state government and the REC did deserves commendation for agreeing to sponsor the voters education programme and the backing of the initiative.”
Tanko said in view of the development, the state CNPP has strong confidence in the REC and the entire INEC management, but pointed out the need for all political parties to be included in the Voter Education Committee programme.
The CNPP then stressed the need for party leaders to approach issues with maturity as unwarranted suspicious accusations are capable of destroying the synergy, which exists among the INEC, Non Governmental Organisations and political parties.
It would be recalled the APC has threatened to boycott the Niger East Senatorial District bye election if Onucheyo is not transferred from the state.
It claimed the REC cannot conduct free and fair election over alleged romance with government.