A chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Buba Galadima, has expressed doubt over the capacity of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He questioned whether the electoral body can deliver a free and fair election in the current political climate.
According to him, this challenge is even more pronounced under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
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Speaking on Monday, during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Galadima accused the ruling government of abandoning governance for early politicking despite being only two years into its tenure.
He argued that INEC had lost its willpower to caution politicians who have already begun campaigning ahead of schedule.
“See, look at it, when INEC was INEC, when politicians start to heat the polity, they come out and warn them that they have not allowed politicking.
“Could it be worse? What is happening, the politicking that is going on now just two years into the life of this administration.
“ Look at the politicking that is going on when INEC doesn’t even have the muscle and the guts to call politicians to order because people in government are the ones that started.
“So how do you expect a free and fair election under these people?” Galadima said.
He further questioned the credibility of the electoral body, stressing that if INEC cannot stop politicians from flouting electoral guidelines, it cannot be trusted to guarantee credible polls.
“Well, if they can’t stop politicians from get-crashing or jumping the gun, how do you think they will have the liver to conduct a free and fair election?” he asked.
The NNPP stalwart maintained that opposition leaders were deliberately holding back, waiting for the right moment to engage.
“That is why some of us are keeping quiet. We are waiting for the daytime, and when we start, the world will know that we are here,” he declared.
