CUPP sets agenda for new INEC chairman, seeks electoral reforms

The National Spokesperson of Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP,  Mark Adebayo, has advised the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan to embark on electoral reforms towards ensuring transparent, free, fair and credible elections in the country.

Speaking with newsmen in Abuja, Adebayo, who is also the Converner of New Direction for Nigeria Movement, NEDMO, equally urged the INEC boss to work strictly according to the constitution and Electoral Act.

“As a Lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, he should know that nothing must be done outside the law of the land and must bring to bear that Nigerians have the right to belong to any political party of their choice and also have the right to form a political party and INEC is under constitutional obligation to register those who are qualified” He stated.

According to him, in the last ten years, INEC has not registered any political party and over 74 were deregistered by past administration of INEC hence the need for the new Chairman to give room for new political parties to come on board.

In his words, “The new Chairman of INEC must apply the principles of Justice, equity, constitutionalism as a Lawyer and he must also apply the principles of the rule of law to enable him manage the affairs of INEC”.

While expressing concern over the performance of the immediate past administration of INEC, Comrade Mark Adebayo advised Prof. Joash Amupitan not to betray the confidence reposed in him by President Bola Tinubu for his appointment as the new helmsman in INEC by rewriting all the wrongs of the past leadership of the Commission.

“First and foremost, I congratulate Prof Joash Amupitan on his appointment as the new Chairman of INEC because he came highly recommended and we hope that he will live up to his pedigree of a professional and I wish him all the best as he pilot the affairs of the Commission” He explained

While stressing the need for the new Chairman of INEC to put in place necessary electoral reforms, the National Spokesperson of CUPP identified transparency, free, fair and credible elections as key to good governance.

Adebayo also stressed the need for politicians and all stakeholders to support the new INEC Chairman and shun acts detrimental to the progress of the nation’s democratic system.

“Aside from INEC, I also want to call on the politicians to cooperate and collaborate with the Commission in a way that will make the job of INEC easier by not sponsoring violence, nobody should sponsor vote buying because when you talk about violence, INEC is not responsible for violence, the Commission does not sponsor thugs, it does not buy arms, the Commission does not buy votes, it is politicians that are responsible for all these hence the need for them to put an end to them towards ensuring a better Nigeria through sound democratic system”, Comrade Mark Adebayo said

He equally emphasized the need for INEC to ensure a smooth Continuous Voter’s Registration, CVR, most especially in riverine parts of the country to avoid disenfranchising eligible Nigerians during elections.

“We are aware that there are some States in this country especially the riverine areas and some places in Gombe and Zamfara States where some eligible voters cannot register therefore we’re calling on the new Chairman of INEC to ensure that he do everything possible for them to register and obtain their PVC to enable them participate in our electoral process,” he added.