The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified
following allegations that it refused to allow Atiku Abubakar,
presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),
inspect materials used for the presidential election.
Atiku had headed to the court after losing the February 23 election to President Muhammadu Buhari.
He
had filed an application to compel INEC to grant him access to
materials used for the election and the court granted his prayer. But
Kola Ologbondiyan, PDP spokesman, said despite being served with the
order, INEC denied Atiku access to the materials.
Asked to react,
Rotimi Oyekanmi, spokesman of INEC chairman, told TheCable that INEC
will comply with the court directive “if and when the commission
receives the order”.
“It is common knowledge that since the declaration of the results of the
presidential election, the commission has been busy with the multiple
activities associated with the national assembly, governorship, state
houses of assembly and federal capital territory elections,” he said.
“Only
last Thursday, the commission presented certificates of return to
senators-elect and house of representatives members-elect, including PDP
members. Nevertheless, the commission will comply when the due process
is followed.”
