If angel from heaven conduct election in Nigeria, Nigerians will still suspect him— Oyekanmi
By David Lawani, Abuja
The Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Chief Rotimi Oyekanmi has hinted that despite the Commission being the most scrutinized public institution, an angel from heaven will find it difficult to conduct an election in Nigeria without being suspected by Nigerians.
Oyekanmi made the assertion when he appeared on Channels Television Politics Today on Friday to explain the state of preparedness of the Commission ahead of the Edo State Governorship election slated for September 21st, 2024.
He said the previous conduct of the Edo State governorship election by the Commission has lend credence to the trust Edo people have for the Commission. He reiterated further that the collection of Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs by Edo people is a testament to the fact that they are fully ready and prepared to vote and elect the candidate of their choice on the said date.
He said: ” Well, I will go back to what I said about the collection of PVCs. And our previous record of conducting elections in Edo state. We have done very well in Edo state. People of Edo know us and they trust us. The issue of trust in Nigeria, is not restricted to INEC. Nigerians have trust issue with everything public.
” INEC is a public institution. Do you know that if Nigerians go to the ATM to withdraw money, they will still count the money to ascertain whether it is complete. If the ATM machine pays you money and you still count it, what does that tell you? They don’t even trust the ATM machines!
” So, I don’t know what can be done to change the mindset of Nigerians. It is not the issue with INEC. Even if you bring an angel from heaven to conduct an election in this country, Nigerians will still suspect that this angel, are you doing the right thing? We will continue to do our best. And we are open.
“We will continue to encourage Nigerians to continue with their oversight. In fact, INEC is the most scrutinized institution in this country. And we love it. Because they keep us on our toes. And the fact that they are on our neck, it also forces us to look at what we are dong again and ensure that we do it in the ight manner”, Oyekanmi stated.
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