Henshaw NYONG, Uyo.
Moved by his exceptional candor and unbending noble character, no fewer than forty four (44) registered political parties in Akwa Ibom, have passed a vote of confidence on the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the State, Mr Mike Igini.
The political parties under the aegis of Inter-party Advisory Council (IPAC), Akwa Ibom State chapter, in a latest press release disclosed that, the uncompromising stance of the State REC in the just concluded election despite huge monetary inducement from a politician who brags that, “what money cannot do, more money can do”, has led to the resurgent of a fresh call for the transfer of Mr Igini.
INEC Chairman
“We have noticed that after the Presidential and National Assembly elections in our State, the ‘Igini Must Go’ assemblage which had receded has been rekindled. The reason is not far fetched.
“We applaud the unbending noble character of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mike Igini, in the test offered by the scenario that played out at Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District elections.
“Despite monetary inducement, connections, influence and power play, Igini was uncompromising.
“He insisted that only the valid votes cast at the polling units and collated by the designated officers will count. This did not go down well with some political gladiators who hitherto thought that what money cannot do, more money can do”, a press statement signed by forty four State’s Chairmen of political parties except the APC and PDP read.
The release further hinted that those seeking the transfer of Mr Igini have so far created spurious stories and blatant lies against the REC in a bid to discredit the just concluded election which was adjudged by their respective Units Agents and International Observers as credible and transparent.
They called on the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof Mahmood Yakubu, to discountenance the renewal of calls for the redeployment of Igini, stressing that the calls are ill-intentioned and in absolute bad faith.
“When they seek the redeployment of the REC, the question is, if he is not good enough to conduct elections here (in Akwa Ibom), which State will he be fit for”, they asked rhetorically?
The political parties’ heads who stated unequivocally that, “if Igini is removed, the world would know that INEC has bowed to pressure and sold the (forthcoming) elections to the APC”, however, passed a vote of confidence on the Akwa Ibom REC for his transparency and credible manner he has conducted the affairs of the Commission.
Meanwhile, apart from the party leaders, respectable members of the society are of the opinion that since the Urhobo in Delta State born REC has demonstrated uncommon fidelity and integrity in the discharge of his duties, he should be supported by all to deliver another free, fair and transparent elections in Akwa Ibom on March 9.
