A human rights activists, Prof. Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, says no level of amendment of electoral laws will guarantee credible elections in Nigeria except electoral administrators show commitment to progress in the electoral process.
Speaking as guest on Channels Television Programme, Prof Odinkalu, said what will guarantee credible elections is the integrity of electoral administrators.
According to him, the people are not asking for perfection, they are only looking for evidence of improvement.
“Anyone who feels what happened during Saturday’s election in FCT is an acceptance standard is not patriotic. Amupitan should admit failure in the area of electoral logistics, investment in voter’s education. He failed woefully”
He maintained that the integrity of the electoral administrators is what will guarantee credible elections citing the 2011 general elections that reduced the number of electoral victories secured in the tribunal from 86.31% to 51% because of the integrity of Prof Attahiru Jega, the then INEC national Chairman.
“Our major concern is that period between end of voting and announcement of result.
Address the system and the people, then the technology will work. The politicians are in conspiracy with the judges
Prof Odinkalu also carpeted opposition leaders in the country saying they also failed to show up when it mattered most.
“The Minister of the FCT had no right to declare a public holiday, it is the Minister of Interior who has such powers. That was a golden opportunity for opposition leaders to mobilize their people on Friday because that declaration was unconstitutional”
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