The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Imo State Council, has changed the Resident Electoral Commission, REC, in Imo State to conduct credible elections on Saturday March 11, 2023.
Imo NUJ stated this a press statement signed by Ori Martins, Spokesperson of the union and made available to this medium.
The statement read, “The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Imo State Council, being the watchdog of the masses and, in particular, the Fourth Estate of the Realm, wishes to express dismay at the the inability of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to conduct a transparent, free and fair election as promised, on Saturday, February 25, 2023, here in Imo State.
“Information reaching our secretariat from our accredited members who covered the elections, sadly corresponded and corroborated with the report of both the international observers as well as the cream of civil society organizations that monitored the last presidential and National Assembly elections.
Their separate submissions are horrendous, horrific and heartbreaking. Their reports made it absolutely and sensationally clear that last Saturday’s elections were heavily manipulated, massively rigged and thus subverted the wishes of the masses.
The journalists and other independent observers who covered as well as monitored the February 25, 2023 elections were of the view that, the suppressed voting notwithstanding, the Imo INEC unprofessionally and shamelessly announced outrageous results in areas elections were never conducted, awarding the units to APC, while questionably withholding the results of centres where the electorate dutifully and freely cast their ballots.
Consequently, we, as a body, based on the reports of the last elections, therefore, have concluded that the February 25, 2023 elections in Imo State was a charade as it was hijacked and manipulated by the current state actors and their cohorts in collaboration with Imo State INEC of which the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Sylvia Agu, is culpable in this regard.
“The mannerism of the Imo State REC substantially gave credence to the allegations making the rounds that she is allegedly connected to the APC national Vice Chairman, South East. And the plot here is simple.
“All said and done, the Imo State Chapter of the NUJ wishes to call on the REC to discharge her duties creditably this Saturday, March 11, 2023, and deliver a transparent, free and fair state assembly election.
The major infractions mentioned by those who monitored last Saturday’s elections were late arrival of INEC officials as well as materials. This should not repeat itself this Saturday.
“Again, Imo has already been marked out as “A state ravaged by insecurity”, undermining the mandate of the voters will only worsen the already terrible situation.
“We were assured that the Imo elections would be transparent, but what we witnessed on February 25 came short of expectations, and in some areas, was likened to brazen robbery.
“Let it be proclaimed on the rooftop that Imo people and NUJ shall hold the REC and her SPOs and EOs accountable and responsible if this March 11, 2023 election fails to meet the expectations of the electorate.
‘Finally, we are not taking a stand in favour or against any political party as there are credible candidates across the top parties in the state. Our aim and wish is for the INEC in Imo to be neutral and fair in its conduct of the elections.’
