Victor EzejaThe Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has kicked against the confirmation of Prof. Rhoda Gumus as a National Commissioner (South-South) in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The party said Gumus is a card-carrying member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), observing that her presence in the commission would affect the integrity of the electoral process.
In a statement titled ‘Confirmation of APC’s Rhoda Gumus As INEC Commissioner, A “Coup” Against Democracy,’ issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba, PDP said such development is an invitation to “serious political crisis that can derail our hard-earned democracy and lead to breakdown of law and order if not immediately reversed.”
The party also accused the National National Assembly of complicity in the confirmation of the appointment which according to it, was done regardless of widespread outcry by Nigerians.
The statement reads in parts, “In confirming Prof Gumus, the APC-led Senate leadership has exposed itself as anti-people and completely insensitive to the aspiration of Nigerians for credible and transparent elections in 2023.
“The action of the APC-led Senate is highly provocative and incendiary because it is in violation of Paragraph 14 (2)(a) of the 3rd Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), which provides that “a member of the Commission shall be non-partisan and a person of unquestionable integrity.
“Such violent assault on the Constitution and our electoral process by the APC cannot be allowed to stand.
“The media space is awash with reports of Prof. Gumus as a member of the APC in Bayelsa State with APC Registration Form No: BAY/YEN/08/58315 and reportedly as number 27 in her APC Ward Register.”
The PDP further stated that President, Muhammadu Buhari and the APC-led Senate leadership have violated the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) by nominating and confirming an APC card-carrying member into INEC.
“This action is designed to corrupt and compromise the electoral Commission and pave way for the APC to rig the 2023 general elections.
“Nigerians can recall how President Buhari had earlier sought to impose his aide and card-carrying member of the APC, Lauretta Onochie, as INEC Commissioner but was stiffly resisted by Nigerians.
“The APC which thrives in impunity has again nominated and confirmed Prof Gumus, another APC card-carrying member as National Commissioner in INEC in flagrant violation of the Constitution and total disregard for the Nigerian people.
“Prof Gumus must not be allowed to be used to pollute INEC. Her mission is already exposed and our party is ready to mobilise our members and all patriotic Nigerians across the country by taking legitimate actions to protect the integrity of the electoral body,” PDP stated.
“Our party, therefore, issues a stern caution to Prof Gumus to, in the interest of peace, steer clear of INEC as there is no way she can function in that office as a card-carrying member of the APC.
“Democracy is about transparency of elections. Nigerians cannot believe in the integrity of the process with Prof Gumus in INEC. Her entry and continuing stay in INEC will be toxic and taint the Commission with bias and manipulations ahead of the 2023 elections since her appointment and confirmation are unconstitutional.”
The PDP which is the main opposition party in the country, demanded an immediate withdrawal of Gumus’ appointment as INEC National Commissioner by President Buhari in line with his oath of office to uphold and defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, insisting that only such gesture from the president would indicate that he is committed to ensuring free and fair elections in the country in 2023.
The party equally commended Civil Society Organisations for their relentless fight for a credible electoral process in the country.
“Our Party urges the Civil Society and all well-meaning Nigerians to continue to insist that appointments into INEC must be transparent and in line with the provisions of the Constitution and other relevant laws,” the statement added.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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