Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of INEC, has been urged to resign by the People's Democratic Party and the Labour Party.
The decision was made by both parties at a joint press conference that their vice presidential candidates held on Tuesday in Abuja. In addition, they demanded that the presidential election results that INEC had announced in Abuja be canceled.
However, INEC quickly dismissed the calls, stating that Mr. Yakubu would not resign and that displeased individuals should channel their complaints in accordance with electoral laws.
On Tuesday, at a joint press conference, the PDP and LP called on the electoral commission to suspend the ongoing collation of results and cancel the elections. PREMIUM TIMES reported that agents of the PDP and the LP had walked out of the national collation center in Abuja on Monday when the INEC chairman insisted the process would continue despite the commission's failure to upload the results of all polling units on the INEC online portal, IReV.
They said that the commission had made concessions and asked Mr. Yakubu to step down as chief of the electoral umpire so that another person could run the elections.
However, Mr. Oyekanmi stated that there are procedures for resolving disputes, and that one of those procedures is not asking the chairman to resign.
He said in a brief statement that the call for the INEC Chairman to resign was unnecessary.
He also said that the claims that the INEC Chairman gave scores to parties were wrong and unfounded.
He stated, "At the same time, in contrast to the insinuation of both parties, results emanating from the states point to a free, fair, and credible process."
When parties or candidates are dissatisfied with an election's outcome, they must follow established procedures.
Calling for the election to be canceled or the resignation of the INEC Chairman are not included in these procedures.
“It's true that parties who have been wronged can go to the courts to voice their concerns and wait for the problem to be solved. It is unacceptable to make remarks that could incite violence or unrest.
The procedures for the 2023 General Election are now nearing completion. Afflicted parties should be allowed to consent to the process's conclusion and present evidence to the courts in order to continue their cases.
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