The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has described the calls for his resignation by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) as “misplaced”.
The INEC chairman also lashed out at the national Collation officer of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Dino Melaye, over allegations that he manipulated the just concluded presidential election results.
Yakubu stated that the election results emanating from across the country were a testament to a free, fair, and credible electoral process, urging the aggrieved political parties to seek redress in the court.
He said this via a statement issued on Tuesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi.
The statement read: “The call by the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Democratic Party on the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu to resign is misplaced.
“The allegation by Dino Melaye that the INEC Chairman allocated scores to parties is unfounded and irresponsible.
“At the same time, contrary to the insinuation by both parties, results emanating from the states point to a free, fair and credible process.
“There are laid down procedures for aggrieved parties or candidates to follow when they are dissatisfied about the outcome of an election. Such procedures do not include calling on the INEC Chairman to resign or for the election to be cancelled.
“To be sure, aggrieved parties are free to approach the courts to ventilate their concerns and wait for the matter to be resolved. Making inciting comments capable of causing violence or unrest is unacceptable.
“The 2023 general election processes are in their final stages of completion. It is only fair for aggrieved parties to allow the conclusion of the process and approach the courts with their evidences to pursue their cases,” Oyekanmi noted.
