Labour Leader Faults INEC Withholding Okorocha’s Certificate of Return, Says It’s Act of Political Rascality

ILESANMI OLUKEMI MOTUNRAYO

Comrade Majeed Yahaya (2nd right) answering questions from the newsmen

The Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) is under attack for withholding Certificate of Return of Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, Nigeria after he was duly elected as a Senator as declared by the same INEC after the election in March, 2015. 

Speaking in Abuja with newsmen, Comrade Yahaya Majeed, a veteran labour leader and activist, described the action of INEC in withholding Mr Okorocha’s Certificate of Return after the same INEC had declared him winner of the senatorial election as an attitude that is very dangerous for the development of democracy in Nigeria, adding that this has presented the electoral body as not being independent. He said it is laughable to hear the excuse from the Returning Officer in Imo State that he declared Okorocha winner under duress.

“All this action is a way of making mockery of our electoral process. What this means is that INEC can just wake up and withhold or even withdraw Certificates of Return from elected officers at will. It is very clear in our constitution that only the election tribunal can upturn or affirm any election after it has been declared by INEC. So INEC arrogating such power to itself should be totally condemned by well meaning Nigerians.  Today, we are talking of the injustice done to Okorocha, tomorrow it might be me or you.

“I think the Presidency should not keep mute on this in the name of building a system. To me, this INEC under Prof. Mahmoud has been compromised and in any civilize society, the INEC chairman supposed to have resigned,” he said.

Reminded that Okorocha’s party, All Progressive Congress (APC) has not taken the matter up with INEC, the Osun State-born activist described the ‘I don’t care attitude’ of APC as  another shameful action from the party, saying that even if the APC has grievances with Okorocha, the victory is for APC as a party not Okorocha alone.

“So why are you abandoning your own victory because if the grievance is resolved tomorrow what of the lost they would have incurred in losing the victory, can they recall that? Let me tell you, with crisis here and there for APC, they are digging their own grave of political losses come 2023. Since 2015, it has been exhibition of political hooliganism from elected and non elected members particularly from the executives to the legislators and party leaderships, but who pays for this at the end of the day, it is Nigerians.

He warned that the leadership of APC should tread carefully so that another mega party won’t spring up ahead of 2023 poll. “APC was born in August 2013, are you saying that another mega party will not come up before 2023? Patriotic Nigerians have tested People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and have seen that the party has failed woefully, so PDP can’t be the alternative despite APC’s internal crisis. It is the same APC that will give room for alternative for Nigeria if they continue like this.

Asked to assess President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, he has this to say: “PMB is doing great things now and from what I can see in him, this tall, skinning man will come out smoking more after May 29th, I foresee a lot of corrupted people in jail. I see the man turning around the economy of Nigeria for good. I am looking at him as a no nonsense man with big heart to wrestle certify rogues in the economy, political and social lives of Nigeria.