INEC Denies Having Secret Meeting With Any Political Party

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied holding any secret meeting with officials or leaders of any political party. 

The chief press secretary to INEC chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi on Thursday, June 28, in Abuja was reacting to an allegation that some officials of the commission had a secret meeting with a leaders of political party.

Oyekanmi urged members of the public to disregard the allegation, The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

“INEC has never met secretly with officials or leaders of any political party.

“The Commission meets quarterly with all political parties under the aegis of the Inter Party Consultative Committee (IPAC).

“Political party leaders or officials are also free to request for a meeting with the Commission and when such written requests are received, reviewed and approved, the INEC Chairman and all National Commissioners meet with party officials.”

“The public should disregard the unsubstantiated allegation.’’

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has also accused an INEC national commissioner and two directors of the commission of plot to manipulate Ekiti July 14 election in favour of the APC.

PDP in statement issued by its national publicity secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan said investigation revealed that two INEC directors, had been holding meetings with the APC candidate, Kayode Fayemi.

It added that the officers were also meeting Ondo state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu to rig the election.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is planning to send at least 30,000 of its personnel to Ekiti for the June 14, governorship election in the state, a commissioner, Bello Ahmed, said on Thursday, June 28.

Ahmed, a commissioner of police, reportedly said this when he hosted some journalists at the command’s headquarters in Ado-Ekiti. According to him, the command has already mapped out strategies to ensure a hitch- free election.

The Nation quotes him as saying with effective from July 9, policemen would be deployed to strategic locations in the state.

He advised residents in the state to conduct themselves peacefully before, during and after the election.