Professor Pat Utomi, a political economist, has charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with stepping up efforts on voter registration and the issuance of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2023 general election.
During Channels Television’s program, Utomi claimed that the electoral body was not doing enough.
“I don’t like the fact that voter registration is not continuing, I think that is an invasion of the democratic rights of the citizens,” he said.
“INEC like to put bureaucracy above democracy. I think that all efforts need to be made to ensure that people are getting their PVC after registration. I don’t think they are doing enough; I think more needs to be done.”
He reiterated claims that INEC can never be considered a fair umpire because it is perceived to be used by the ruling class.
Utomi expressed his displeasure with the situation and stated that he will continue to press the Commission to do what is necessary in the interest of Nigeria’s democracy.
Election and insecurity
He also discussed the country’s security challenges as Nigerians prepare to vote in February 2023.
The political economist, who is also a member of the Labour Party, has urged the Federal Government to address insecurity now so that next year’s elections are not jeopardized.
He wants the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, as well as security agencies, to ensure that some security threats are addressed.
According to the LP chieftain, Nigeria’s current security situation is the result of failing to heed warnings issued in this regard dating back to the run-up to the 1999 democratic transition.
He added, “We must do everything to contain as much of it as possible to make a democratic process work next year
“Nothing about this state of insecurity is a surprise.
“Just at a time, the civilian government was coming in in 1999, an American predicted what we are going through.”
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