By joshua Ekiti Poll : CRPP Condemns INEC’S Partisan Conduct
———-Says it raises questions about the independence of INEC in 2027
By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin city
The Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP), has strongly condemns the disturbing and embarrassing spectacle of the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Emperor Jarrett Tenebe, being seen wearing an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) vest and allegedly participating in election observation activities during Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State.
This development is not only shocking but represents a dangerous assault on the integrity, neutrality, and credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process.
In a joint statement in Benin City by the national chairman, Dr. Samson Isibor and the secretary Mr. Nkaa Waribe, said, ” it raises serious questions about the independence of INEC and further validates growing public concerns that the electoral umpire has become compromised and increasingly partisan”.
According to them, “ For an individual who occupies a strategic leadership position in the ruling APC to be adorned in official INEC identification during an election is a disgraceful development that undermines public confidence in the democratic process.
Adding that , It sends a wrong signal to Nigerians and creates the unfortunate impression that there is no longer a clear distinction between the ruling party and the institution constitutionally empowered to conduct free, fair, and credible elections.
The CRPP finds it unacceptable that INEC could permit such a glaring conflict of interest and gross violation of the principles of electoral neutrality.
They further stated that, “ The Commission owes Nigerians an immediate explanation regarding the circumstances that led to this unfortunate incident and the role, if any, played by Mr. Tenebe in the conduct of the election.” They stated.
We therefore hold the Chairman of INEC, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN.responsible for the steady erosion of public trust in the Commission.
“Under his watch, INEC has repeatedly failed to inspire confidence among political stakeholders, while allegations of bias, selective application of electoral rules, and undue influence by the ruling party continue to gain traction.
The Ekiti incident has further reinforced the widespread belief that the APC has effectively captured key democratic institutions, including INEC, thereby compromising the transparency and credibility of elections in Nigeria.
Consequently, the Coalition of Registered Political Parties hereby declares that it has lost confidence in the ability of the present leadership of INEC to guarantee a level playing field for all political parties ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
We call on civil society organisations, the international community, election observers, and all lovers of democracy to pay close attention to the dangerous signals emerging from Nigeria’s electoral environment.
Democracy cannot thrive where the electoral umpire is perceived as an extension of the ruling party.
The CRPP further demands a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the participation of Emperor Jarrett Tenebe in the Ekiti governorship election and insists that those responsible for this embarrassment to Nigeria’s democracy be held accountable.
The integrity of elections remains the cornerstone of democratic governance. Any action capable of diminishing public trust in the electoral process must be resisted by all democratic forces.