Sen. Ekpenyong  cautions youths  over protest at A’Ibom  INEC office, warns  them not to scuttle democracy

Senator Chris Ekpenyong, representing Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) , has condemned the protest by  the so-called Akwa Ibom youths at the office of Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), in Uyo, cautioning them against being used to scuttle democratic processes.

Senator Ekpeyong  who stated  this in a statement made available to the media on Saturday, particularly frowned at any form of opposition to  INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state,  Mike Igini, saying he did nothing to have warranted any form of protest against his leadership.

 Said the lawmaker: “It’s quite pathetic to hear that some young people danced naked at the entrance of the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), in Uyo, thereby preventing well-behaved citizens from going to get registered for their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). I don’t know their motive but I feel it’s a fruitless effort that will have no effect. A similar incident happened before the 2019 elections and it didn’t change anything.

“What those rented negative sympathizers don’t understand is you can’t fight an upright fellow who is working according to the tenet of democracy and the laws of Nigeria, especially the electoral laws. The only reason I’m speaking out is because I am a lawmaker. And having been among those who made the 2022 electoral law, I have followed the electoral umpire with keen interest to see if they are abiding by the law, especially in my state, Akwa Ibom. From the information gathered, I realised the INEC commissioner in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Mike Igini, has not done anything wrong to warrant such an insult.

“Why such a charade? Some questions needed to be asked and answered by the public.

 Did Mike Igini conduct elections according to the 2022 Electoral Act as amended? The answer is yes.

 Did Mike Igini conduct elections based on the stipulated time frame as proposed by the entire electoral body? The answer is yes.

“Were there winners in all the elections conducted by Mike Igini in all parties?  The answer is yes.

Why will people allow themselves to be used by those who feel power is their birthright?

”My heart bleeds for those young men who are being used. Even their mothers joined them.

What has Mike Igini done? We all know Mike Igini and his principles. He doesn’t believe in bending the rules for anyone. He will not take bribes. He cannot even be intimidated. That is the kind of character we need in our electoral system if this nation must work. It is a known fact that once Mike Igini is conducting your election you don’t need to know him. He doesn’t need to know you. In fact, even if you know him it can’t change anything. He will still conduct the election according to the law without favouritism.

I urge those young men and women to forget about this fruitless venture because it means injustice to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.’’

Recall that  Igini had dismissed the All Progressives Congress (APC)  primary that gave victory to Godswill Akpabio as “Nollywood fantasy.”

After stepping down to Ahmed Tinubu at the APC presidential primaries in Abuja, Akpabio had returned home to participate in a repeat primary for Akwa Ibom North West senatorial ticket and was declared the winner with 478 votes, beating the closest rival, DIG Udom Ekpoudom, who was awarded only three votes in absentia.

Ekpodum had come out to dismiss the primary as a sham and said the earlier version conducted on May 27, in which he won was the authentic primary and that he remains the only bona fide APC senatorial candidate for Akwa Ibom North West (Ikot Ekpene) senatorial district.

To worsen issues for the former Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Igini has now also come out to rubbish the primary saying that Akpabio only conducted the primary for himself, by himself and won by himself.

The REC who spoke on a radio programme in the state said. ”By virtue of Section 31 of the 2022 Electoral Act, the only way somebody can be replaced in any form is through withdrawal by an individual or death. The law is saying that those who have emerged at all levels up to the presidential level, you can decide that you are no longer interested. You can write an application signed by yourself, delivered to your party who will now deliver it to INEC. But nobody can shave the political head of another person in his or her absence.

“The report of the Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District APC primary as submitted to INEC headquarters in Abuja is final. It is concluded. The train has left the station. The timeline is clear. All those who are in politics should go and study the 2022 Electoral Act very well. I hear people talking about the substitution. If you look at Section 31 and Section 34 of the Electoral Act, those of you who are still carrying the old idea of the 2010, 2012 Electoral Act in your head, thinking you can substitute wilfully, it is no longer so.

 Recall also that over 1,000 youths under the aegis of the Coalition of Political Parties in Akwa Ibom State, on Wednesday, barricaded the Secretariat of the INEC in the state, demanding the immediate removal of  Igini.