The National Association of Nigerian Students [NANS], condemns in its entirety and totality the illegal and unlawful processes being perpetrated at the Independent National Electoral Commission [INEC] by President Muhammadu Buhari. The President should appoint, as a matter of national priority, a substantive Chairman to pilot the affairs of the electoral body rather than disrupting the electoral norms and credible electoral process in the country.
It should be recalled that Mrs Zakari's tenure as INEC National Electoral Commissioner has expired. She cannot continue to preside legally (illegally as is the case now) on INEC affairs, except if duly appointed as substantive Chairman of the commission as provided in Section 154 (1) and (3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
One of the major legacies and great feats bequeathed to Nigeria by the immediate past Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] government headed by Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, was free, fair and credible electoral process and President Buhari, who is a direct beneficiary of this legacy must sustain it by ensuring that the impartiality of the electoral umpire is unblemished by suspicion of partisanship and illegal appointments.
We gathered that there is a family connection between Mr. President and the INEC boss. This is enough establishment of conviviality between Mrs. Zakari and President Buhari, whose party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) will be standing elections with other political parties this year and this will no doubt cast credibility aspersion on any election conducted by INEC headed by Mrs Zakari.
Indeed, a look at the history of Nigeria's electoral commission shows that democratic Presidents have appointed chairmen from regions different from theirs unlike President Buhari who has appointed INEC Chairman from his geopolitical zone.
Moreso, Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which established INEC and other Federal Executive Bodies did not make any provision for the appointment of Acting Chairman.
There is nothing in the extant and sacrosanct provisions of the 1999 Constitution or any other law, for the time being, that supports these sordid and bare faced breaches by the President. The President swore an oath to defend the Constitution and not to flout its provisions. Mr President rode to power on the promise that he would fight graft and impunity. I hope Nigerians have not been scammed. I hope our dreams of "change" are not met with nightmares so soon in the day. Whoever is advising the President should be fired because we suspect sabotage. Zakari's appointment is an height of hypocrisy, lawlessness and even height of corruption.
We hereby implore President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, to appoint a substantive INEC chairman as NANS do not sustain trust and confidence in the Amina Zakari-led electoral body to reposition our electoral process.
Signed:
Com Ayenuro Timileyin Gbenga
Vice President (National Affairs) National Association of Nigerian Students [NANS]
