The solicitors to Mrs. Ngozi Ulasi, who is claiming to be the winner of the Anambra State gubernatorial election primaries of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) held on 2nd September 2013, have demanded the resignation of Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega.
In a statement signed by Osuagwu Ugochukwu and Ogboli Charles of Victory & Rose Associates, they expressed shock that Jega could authorise the publication of an Anambra gubernatorial list including the name of Chief Godwin Ezeemo as the PPA candidate.
“It is on record that INEC Chairman set up a seven-man team led by Mrs Priscillia to monitor the gubernatorial primaries of the PPA held at Basino Hotel, Awka on 2nd September 2013,” they wrote.
“The same INEC that monitored the election took records of proceedings, which clearly indicate that only Mrs Ngozi Ulasi from PPA submitted INEC nomination forms and contested the election unopposed and won the primaries with a total vote of 359.
“It is thus shocking that INEC in collaboration with PPA chiefs would now publish on 24th September 2013 the name of Godwin Ezeemo as the PPA candidate, who was never a member of PPA nor did he participate in the congress.”
They wondered the purpose for which INEC monitored the primaries of the party, asking if monitoring is meant to be a mere ritual.
“Why would INEC headed by professor JEGA waste tax payers’ money by sending seven INEC officials to Awka, lodging them in hotels and making them monitor a primary election, which records are not to be used by INEC?
“When President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) appointed Professor Attahiru Jega, many Nigerians applauded his appointment. Everywhere, the accolade was the same. They said that Jega was indeed a man of integrity. Can that view be maintained now?
“Our client doubts the credibility of Professor Jega to run INEC and conduct credible elections in future. Our client views the action of INEC under Jega as showing clearly that INEC is a business and commercial enterprise where anything goes.”
They, therefore, argued that Jega’s position as Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is no longer tenable and he must now step down immediately in the national interest, as this is the only way he can save his image and save the nation further embarrassment unless he is prepared to be disgraced from office.
