Nigerian activist, Deji Adeyanju has branded the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) as the greatest test to elections in Nigeria.
He made the remarks over the just concluded Edo State governorship election.
In a statement on Sunday, he expressed deep concern over the actions of the electoral umpire which he said undermined the principles of free and fair elections in Nigeria.
“INEC’s refusal to deploy voting materials on time to certain strongholds of political parties during the election raises serious questions about the commission’s commitment to ensuring a transparent process.
“The presence of political appointees from the ruling party in key positions within INEC further compromised the integrity of the election. This conflict of interest has the potential to facilitate electoral malpractices and cast doubt on the credibility of the entire process.
According to him, INEC’s failure to guarantee a level playing field for all political parties is a disservice to Nigeria’s democracy.
“As Nigeria moves forward, it is critical that the international community continues to monitor electoral processes and holds those responsible for any malpractices accountable. The strength of our democracy rests on the respect for the people’s will.”
