ABUJA, Nigeria (ChatnewsTV) — Former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Chidi Odinkalu, issued a stern warning to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Saturday, cautioning against any attempts to manipulate the upcoming Edo State gubernatorial election. Odinkalu’s warning, shared on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, emphasized that any misconduct could have nationwide consequences.
“If Mahmood Yakubu & @inecnigeria mess with #EdoDecides2024 like they habitually do in a deliberate manner, all of #Nigeria will suffer it,” Odinkalu wrote, referring to INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu. “There is hardly anywhere u can go to in Nigeria without passing through Edo.”
Odinkalu’s message comes amid heightened scrutiny of INEC’s role in ensuring free and fair elections. The Edo gubernatorial race has drawn national attention, with concerns about transparency and fairness.
This call follows a similar plea from former President Goodluck Jonathan, who on Friday urged INEC and security agencies to remain neutral and professional in their roles during the election. Jonathan stressed that a transparent and unbiased electoral process was crucial for maintaining public trust and deepening Nigeria’s democracy.
“As citizens of voting age in Edo State go to the polls for the governorship election on Saturday, September 21, 2024, I call on all political actors and stakeholders to work towards deepening the nation’s democracy by prioritizing peace and security of the state,” Jonathan said.
The former president also warned that “democracy loses its value when citizens cannot exercise their political choices in a free and fair atmosphere.”
