As part of the efforts that can bring about a seamless, free and fair election in 2015, the Interim National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Alhaji Tijjani Musa Tumsah has urged the independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to stop political office-holders from participating in election supervision.
Tumsah also insisted at the weekend that for best results, the INEC should endeavor to hold all elections simultaneously in the country as he says it comes with a lot of benefits.
He added that this will help nip manipulations in the bud and also reduce costs.
“I will tell INEC to conduct the whole election the same day for all offices. I will ask them to ensure that all the materials are there on time and provide the logistic support necessary to have that as best as possible. The elections must be transparent, and duly enforced.
“I want the elections held the same day so that there is no room for people to manipulate any bandwagon effects or any nuances or any intimidation that staggered elections would bring. In cost wise, it is also cheaper to hold the elections the same day.”
He also said the federal government can also enhance hitch-free as well as credible election exercise by ensuring that the Commission is not denied of its funds.
Hence, he urged the government to sort out the fund paucity that INEC is currently grappling with; adding that Nigeria is broke due to bad governance.
“So that should be sorted out and then if you look again at the way the country is going right now, we are almost going towards broke.
“So what kind of leadership do you have whether to manipulate or not to manipulate, this is bad governance?” he queried.
“That is the problem we have with the governors of PDP. INEC as an institution should have no issues with money if they are going to conduct credible elections”, he pointed out.
Besides, he hinted that the leadership of the APC will emerge of the congresses that will come after the registration.
“That is when the appropriate leadership will come up” and he is optimistic that APC has the “best chance” of winning the Anambra State governorship election because through a credible election as he reaffirmed that the “party elected the most outstanding candidate amongst the contestants”.
The Interim Secretary disclosed that the party will soon inaugurate its states harmonisation committees which have already been created to blend the constituent parties together for familiarisation.