Following his negative commentary accusing Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), of dishonesty during the 2023 general election, the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, AYCF, has asked Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Catholic Bishop Emeritus of Abuja to concentrate on his calling.
Cardinal Onaiyekan had expressed his viewpoints on the conduct of the general elections in February and March 2023.
The clergyman while addressing journalists in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, during the 10th anniversary celebration of the Jesuit Memorial College on Saturday, claimed that the INEC chair was not telling the truth when he said the election was well conducted.
His words: “When I heard Prof. Mahmood on television even yesterday, telling us that everything went perfectly well in January. I shed tears. He knows he was not telling the truth.
“I am a religious person and I keep praying to God to forgive us and to show us the truth because if we tell the truth, things will move fast. Nigerians are wonderful and I still hope that things will move fast.
“Whatever the judges may decide, whatever courts may say, at the end of the day, the truth will make us free.”
But the AYCF, in a statement issued by its president, Shettima Yerima, on Sunday, said Onayekan’s comments were unjust and unfair.
Yerima claimed that the INEC chair ensured that the election was conducted free and fair as evidently seen in the preparations before the exercise.
According to him, the various technological innovations initiated by the electoral umpire was proof that Mahmood was committed to a transparent election.
He said: “It is unjust and unfair to accuse Yakubu of any wrongdoing, as he went to great lengths to ensure that the exercise was the most transparent and credible in Nigeria’s history.
“Firstly, Yakubu’s commitment to transparency and fairness is evident in the extensive preparations made by INEC for the 2023 general elections.
“The commission implemented various reforms, including the introduction of new technologies such as electronic voting machines and biometric voter registration.
“These measures aimed to eliminate voter fraud, enhance the accuracy of the electoral roll, and ensure the credibility of the entire process. Yakubu’s proactive approach demonstrates his dedication to conducting a transparent and fair election.
“Secondly, Yakubu’s efforts to promote inclusivity and equal representation further highlight his commitment to fairness.
“INEC, under Yakubu’s leadership, embarked on a comprehensive voter education campaign to ensure that all eligible citizens were aware of their rights and responsibilities.
“This campaign targeted marginalized communities, rural areas, and traditionally underrepresented groups, aiming to bridge the gap in political participation.
“By actively engaging with these communities, Yakubu demonstrated his commitment to ensuring that every citizen had an equal opportunity to exercise their democratic rights.
“Furthermore, Yakubu’s emphasis on the independence of INEC showcases his dedication to upholding the principles of fairness and credibility. He consistently advocated for the autonomy of the commission, resisting external pressures and interference.
“This commitment to independence allowed INEC to operate without bias or favoritism, ensuring that the electoral process remained impartial and transparent. Yakubu’s unwavering stance against external influence demonstrates his integrity and commitment to conducting a just election.
“Moreover, Yakubu’s proactive measures to address potential challenges and mitigate electoral malpractices further solidify his dedication to fairness. INEC, under his leadership, established a robust system for monitoring and reporting irregularities during the election. This system included the deployment of election observers, both domestic and international, to ensure transparency and accountability.
“Additionally, Yakubu implemented strict protocols to prevent voter intimidation, violence, and other forms of electoral misconduct. These measures demonstrate his commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring a level playing field for all candidates.”
While reacting to Onaiyekan’s view on his expectations of the court’s judgment, Yerima said it is a ploy by leaders in the religious circle to perfect the political agenda of some interest groups in the country.
“True Men of God are expected to preach salvation and not preach selective partisanship behind the garb of religion as is the case with Onaiyekan.”
“His comment about the prevailing court suit filed by the opposition challenging the electoral victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is part of a sinister plot by pretenders to hide behind the glory of the Church to further the dubious political agenda of certain interests,” he added.
It would be recalled that after the February 25 presidential election, many Nigerian voters were unsatisfied with the conduct of the exercise following the alleged “technical glitch” encountered by INEC staff during the uploading of results to the INEC server.
This, however, according to some concerned Nigerians allegedly paved the way for the manipulation of results in most of the polling units where the technical glitches were encountered.
