The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of failing to address allegations that its officials received land and cash gifts from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the PDP, which is the leading opposition party in Nigeria, raised concerns about the propriety of such gifts, arguing that they could compromise the neutrality and credibility of INEC officials during the upcoming election process. The statement, signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, and published on Naija News, called on INEC to clarify the situation promptly and uphold transparency to regain public trust.
The PDP’s concerns were triggered by recent media reports that Wike had offered land and cash gifts to senior officials of the electoral commission. The party also cited a claim that Mohamad Kudu Haruna, the Supervising National Commissioner for the FCT, had admitted to receiving a land gift. According to the PDP, this raises serious questions about potential conflicts of interest, especially considering the sensitive nature of INEC’s role in managing free and fair elections.
The party’s statement emphasized that such gifts to electoral officials were troubling and appeared to align with speculation about efforts to “institutionally capture” the election process. It further highlighted that while land allocations to other professionals like healthcare workers, teachers, and security officials are common in the capital, there has been no similar allocation to these groups, suggesting a targeted move to influence key electoral actors.
Adding to the controversy, PDP pointed out that INEC’s Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, is reported to be one of the beneficiaries of the alleged land gifts. The party demanded that Amupitan address these allegations publicly and swiftly, fearing that it could deepen the erosion of public trust in INEC, especially given its already strained credibility. The statement also quoted popular activist Aisha Yesufu, who had earlier claimed that INEC officials were allegedly bribed with sums worth up to $50,000 to act against the party’s leadership. Yesufu had suggested during an interview that the INEC Chairman had been threatened into compliance.
The PDP underscored the importance of INEC maintaining transparency and impartiality to ensure the integrity of the election process. The party warned that without a clear account of the land and cash gifts, the public’s faith in the electoral commission would continue to wane, potentially undermining the legitimacy of the upcoming elections. The PDP urged INEC to prioritize addressing these allegations as a matter of urgency, cautioning that failure to do so could have broader implications for the institution’s ability to administer a credible electoral process.
As the electoral watchdog in Nigeria, INEC faces increased scrutiny over these allegations. The party’s call for accountability comes at a time when public trust in election management is critical. How INEC responds will be closely watched as the nation approaches key electoral milestones, with the PDP expressing concerns that these issues could jeopardize the neutrality of the electoral commission’s oversight role. The party maintains that transparency is essential for restoring faith in the electoral process and ensuring a fair outcome for all stakeholders.
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