By Ihechi Enyinnaya
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) haz rejected the confirmation of a card-carrying member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Rhoda Gumus, as a National Commissioner (South South) in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) despite widespread outcry by Nigerians
In a statement byvHon. Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary, the PDP described Prof. Gumus’ confirmation as a “coup” against
democracy and an open invitation to serious political crisis that can
derail our hard-earned democracy and lead to breakdown of law and order if not immediately reversed.”
Part of the statement read: “In confirming Prof. Gumus, the APC-led Senate leadership has exposed itself as anti-people and completely insensitive to the aspiration of Nigerians for credible and transparent elections in 2023.
“The action of the APC-led Senate is highly provocative and inc
because it is in violation of Paragraph 14 (2)(a) of the 3rd Schedule to
the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended),
which provides that “a member of the Commission shall be non-partisan
and a person of unquestionable integrity.
“Such violent assault on the Constitution and our electoral process by
the APC cannot be allowed to stand.AP”The media space is awash with reports of Prof. Gumus as a member of the APC in Bayelsa State with APC Registration Form No: BAY/YEN/08/58315 and reportedly as number 27 in her APC Ward Register.
“In nominating and confirming an APC card-carrying member into INEC,
President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC-led Senate leadership have
recklessly violated the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) which they swore to uphold and
defend.
“This action is designed to corrupt and compromise the electoral
Commission and pave way for the APC to rig the 2023 general elections.
Nigerians can recall how President Buhari had earlier sought to impose
his aide and card-carrying member of the APC, Lauretta Onochie as INEC
Commissioner but was stiffly resisted by Nigerians.
“The APC which thrives in impunity has again nominated and confirmed
“Prof. Gumus, another APC card-carrying member as National Commissioner in INEC in flagrant violation of the Constitution and total disregard for the Nigerian people.
“Prof. Gumus must not be allowed to be used to pollute INEC. Her mission is already exposed and our Party is ready to mobilize our members and all patriotic Nigerians across the country by taking legitimate actions to protect the integrity of the electoral body.
“Our Party therefore issues a stern caution to Prof. Gumus to, in the
interest of peace, steer clear of INEC as there is no way she can
function in that office as a card-carrying member of the APC.
“Democracy is about transparency of elections. Nigerians cannot believe
in the integrity of the process with Prof. Gumus in INEC. Her entry and
continuing stay in INEC will be toxic and taint the Commission with bias
and manipulations ahead of the 2023 elections since her appointment and confirmation is unconstitutional.
“The PDP calls on President Buhari to immediately withdraw the
appointment of Prof. Gumus as INEC National Commissioner in line with
his oath of office to uphold and defend the Constitution of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria. This will assure Nigerians that Mr. President is
committed to free, fair, transparent and credible elections in 2023.”