The Senate has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure credibility in Saturday’s bye-election in Osun West Senatorial District.
The call followed the adoption of a motion by Senator Duro Faseyi at plenary on Thursday.
Moving the motion earlier, Faseyi had said that there were series of allegations and counter-allegations of plot to manipulate the outcome of the election.
He said that there was tension in Osun West ahead of the Saturday poll for the replacement of Senator Isiaka Adeleke, who died on April 23.
Faseyi said that INEC must ensure equity, fairness and transparency in the bye-election to enhance its credibility.
Seconding the motion, Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, said the outcome of the election would determine INEC’s level of readiness for the 2019 general elections.
He said: “INEC should use the opportunity to tell Nigerians that it is ready for the 2019 general elections. The security agencies should also demonstrate their neutrality.”
In his contribution, the Deputy Minority Leader, Emmanuel Bwacha, said: “With these alarms, all security agencies should rise to the challenge and ensure that the election is peaceful.”
In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, urged INEC to maintain its independence in the conduct of the election.
According to Saraki, the outcome of the election will let us know the readiness or otherwise of INEC.