WE ARE READY FOR 2023 ELECTIONS – INEC REITERATES …. Prof Yakubu takes INEC Management team and the Media on pre election tour.
Oru Leonard
Seven days to the 2023 Presidential, Senate and Federal House of Assembly elections, the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu has expressed that the Commission is ready for the 2023 general elections..
Professor Yakubu stated this on Saturday during a pre election tour to the training centre for INEC’s ad-hoc staff and Presiding Officers at Government Secondary School Garki, and the difference Venues at the International Conference Centre (ICC), to be used for National Collation Centre, Situation room and Press Centre.
Speaking at the training center for NYSC, Presiding Officers, INEC Chairman advised them against partisanship and fraud, noting that the BVAS is smarter than them.
“You are the only ones that will handle the BVAS at polling units on election day. Take this job seriously. We are tracking you as well so that we can know who is holding which BVAS. Do not give this BVAS to someone else” INEC boss stressed.
Prof Yakubu who disclosed that NYSC are going to operate at the most important level of the electoral system; at the polling unit levels said the NYSC loyalty is to Nigeria and Nigerians and not to any political party or any candidate.
“You will be the INEC Chairman at your polling unit. You are the King at the polling units. loyalty is to Nigeria and Nigerians and not to any political party or any candidate.
“There is no way INEC can conduct elections without the NYSC. You are simply indispensable in the conduct of elections in Nigeria. We cannot conduct elections with our workforce alone.
“So we have to rely on you and other categories of staff. But you are going to operate at the most important level of the electoral system; at the polling unit levels because that is where citizens go and vote.
“All of you will swear an oath of neutrality. Your loyalty is to Nigeria and Nigerians and not to any political party or any candidate. You will be the INEC Chairman at your polling unit. You are the King at the polling units”, he emphasized.
He noted that what is happening in Abuja here today concerning the training of the adhoc staff is also happening all over the country. “The same training they are doing here is what is going on everywhere across the country”.
Professor Yakubu said protests generated in some parts of the country, are no threats to the elections as the security agencies have taken charge. “By this time next week, Nigerians will be voting in over 176,000 polling units nationwide and the outcome of that process for presidential election will be compiled here on the choice made by Nigerians for the next president of the country will also be announced at this venue (ICC)”. he added.
INEC Boss further announced that the National Peace Committee will undertake the signing of the peace accord on Wednesday 22nd at the ICC by 3:00pm ahead of the Saturday polls.
