The National Chairman of the Action Democratic Party, ADP, Mr Yabagi Sani has called on the electoral umpire in Nigeria, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to ensure that electronic transmission of results is use in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Anambra State, South east Nigeria.
Mr Sani commended the Nigerian Legislative Arm especially the Senate for the electoral amendment laws that all political parties must adhere to direct primaries henceforth. The statement was made by the leader of the party during an inauguration of the ADP Campaign Council for the Anambra gubernatorial race, at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, Nigeria’s Capital.
The National Chairman said the adoption of direct primaries is a victory for democracy, adding that all members of the party will now have the opportunity to participate in the selection of candidates.
According to Mr Sani, the ADP wishes to call on the Federal Government, all other stakeholders particularly, the security agencies not only to ensure that the governorship election in Southeastern State of Anambra is conducted as scheduled on the 6th of November, 2021.
“There must not be any compromise, all impediments in the way of a hitch-free exercise, must be cleared so that the wishes of the people prevail at the end of the day. The waves of honest and positive change blowing across the entire country have engulfed the shores of Anambra State and, shall we warn that, the consequences of trying to stop the tide, will be fruitless and counterproductive,” he added.
“ADP seizes this opportunity to congratulate the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, on its historic victory over the debacle with the National Assembly on the issue of electronic transmission of election results. Most certainly, the courage demonstrated by the leadership of INEC under Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has in no small measure, reinforced the confidence of Nigerians in the possibilities for the conduct of credible elections in the country in times ahead.
“This is particularly so when cognizance is given to the immense intimidation, arm-twisting and threats from retrogressive agents of anachronism, enemies of democracy, free and fair elections who will want the nation to continue in the old ways that provide them the rooms to manipulate and rape the people of their inalienable and fundamental rights of electing their political leaders in a democracy.
“In this regard, the ADP is emphatically demanding that the electoral body test-run the electronic transfer of votes in the forthcoming Anambra Gubernatorial election.
“For its courage of biting the humble pie by retracting its initial unpopular and reactionary stance on the e-transfer of votes from polling units, the ADP wishes to commend the Senate for listening, for once, to the voice of reason.
“Our party is calling on members of the House of Representatives to emulate the latest decision of our Senators in the process of amending the Electoral Act. In the same vein, the ADP is expressing the hope that the Bill will receive assent of the President without much delay,” he added.