‘Call your supporters to order’ — Yakubu tells political parties ahead of off-cycle polls

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, has appealed to political party leaders to call their supporters to order, ahead of governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi.

The off-cycle polls are scheduled for November 11.

Yakubu made the call during the commission’s quarterly consultative meeting with political parties on the review of the 2023 elections.

Yakubu said while INEC would focus on improving its performance in the elections, party leaders should have similar introspection on the conduct of their candidates and their supporters.

“The use of thugs during elections to harass election officials, intimidate voters, and disrupt processes, sometimes resulting in the destruction of election materials or even worse, must be addressed,” he said.

“Campaign in public by parties and candidates in the three states commenced on July 14 as provided in the timetable and schedule of activities for the governorship elections.

“Sadly, there are already disturbing reports of clashes between opposing parties with claims and counterclaims of innocence or culpability. These claims help no one. Call your supporters to order.”

The INEC boss also warned against the use of the power of incumbency to deny opposition parties access to state facilities or media for campaigns.

“I must also acknowledge the perennial complaints from some political parties that the power of incumbency is used in some states to restrain some parties and candidates from access to public facilities for media campaigns and outdoor advertising through exorbitant fees or outright denial,” he said.

“This often leads to the mutual destruction of advertising materials such as billboards, resulting in altercation and violence involving supporters of opposing political parties.”

Yakubu, also said the matter will be discussed at the next meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) on Friday.

“I think the denial of access to state facilities by political parties is a violation of the law that shouldn’t be tolerated. There shouldn’t be reward for bad behaviour,” he said.

“Political parties that are here, some of the states where you denied political citizens access are controlled by you, so please also join through IPAC in speaking to the leadership of your state where such situations arise.”

Yakubu said the commission is working on the electronic register of election results as provided by section 62(2) of the electoral act.

He, however, said INEC is aware that while there were many positive developments from the general election, there were challenges encountered which must be addressed.

“The commission is aware that many aspects of the electoral process are currently being litigated at the various election petition tribunals,” he said.

“Nevertheless, we must review them broadly without touching on the merits of the cases in court.

“Our hope is that at the end of the review process, a comprehensive report will be prepared.

“The report will serve as a basis for further engagement with stakeholders focusing on specific actions necessary for the improvement of future elections and electoral activities.”