A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over his recent defence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), insisting that the electoral body has not done enough to regain the confidence of Nigerians.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, Okonkwo reacted to Tinubu’s comments that INEC remained neutral despite criticisms from opposition parties.
According to the former Labour Party presidential campaign spokesperson, it was inappropriate for the President to defend the electoral commission instead of addressing concerns surrounding its credibility.
“It is very sad. Any country that has a president who has morphed into the chief spokesperson of INEC is in trouble,” Okonkwo said.
He argued that unresolved issues from the 2023 general election, particularly the technical glitches recorded during the exercise, continue to raise questions about INEC’s neutrality.
“An INEC that recorded a technical glitch in 2023 and has not satisfactorily explained it to Nigerians cannot simply be declared neutral. We are urging INEC to be neutral; as of today, it is not,” he stated.
Okonkwo also referenced Tinubu’s position on INEC before the 2015 elections, noting that the President was once among those who criticised the electoral body.
The ADC chieftain further argued that Tinubu’s performance in office would make it difficult for him to win another term, urging the President not to seek re-election.
“Tinubu should not even allow the election to hold; he should resign and go in peace,” he said.
Commenting on the recent Court of Appeal judgment that overturned an earlier ruling directing INEC to deregister the ADC and four other political parties, Okonkwo claimed the opposition party had successfully resisted attempts to remove it through the courts.
He also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of trying to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections, alleging that efforts were being made to undermine Nigeria’s democratic process.
Source: Channels Television
