The Labour Party has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against succumbing to plans by parties to truncate the 2023 elections.
ANAMBRAPEOPLE reports that the Chief Spokesman for Peter Obi and Ahmad Datti presidential campaign council of the Labour Party, Yunusa Tanko, said the plan to truncate the 2023 elections is by those that know they do not have chances of winning in a free and fair contest.
Tanko said the constant attacks on INEC offices are aimed at the losing parties to truncate the election plan of INEC to give room for their rigging plans.
Recall that the electoral umpire, INEC, had on Monday raised alarm that the attacks on its staff and offices have the tendency of disrupting the 2023 election.
Reacting to the statement from INEC, Yunusa said, “We know that there are centrifugal forces who are against the state, especially those who know they cannot win elections. They are trying to make the country ungovernable so that it will be impossible for us to have free and fair elections.”
The Labour Party, Obi/Datti campaign spokesman, however, appealed to INEC not to succumb to the plans, threats and attacks by agents of opposition parties who stand no chance of winning the next election in a free and fair contest.
“Our strong warning to INEC is that it must not succumb to all these threats and attacks. It is actually targeted towards weakening their resolve to organise a free, fair and credible election in 2023.”
Yunusa added that the security agencies must double up their surveillance to arrest the arsonists.
“Also, it is high time that our security operatives explained to Nigerians how this incessant arson and destruction of INEC offices continue unabated. We expect that given previous attacks, all INEC offices should have been fortified in order to provide an enabling environment for election officers and the materials.
“It is important that our security officers should double up efforts in ensuring that INEC is given the opportunity to conduct the election while those behind the attacks are apprehended and dealt with in accordance with the laws of the land,” he said.
Labour Party further appealed to Nigerians not to yield to fears from those who do not want them to come out to elect their leaders in next month election.
“To Nigerians, we appeal to them not to yield to fears by those who do not want them to come out and vote for the leaders of their choice. If this trend continues, we will have a state of anarchy and a free and fair election may not be possible.
“We will hold the security agencies responsible for their failure to secure and protect the Nigerian state,” Yunusa Tanko
(Anambra people)