The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has voted down the appointment of Rhoda Gumus, a member of the All Progressives Congress, as a National Commissioner (South-South) in the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The PDP called the confirmation, which occurred “despite widespread outcry from Nigerians,” a “coup” against democracy and an open invitation to a “serious political crisis that can derail our hard-earned democracy and lead to a breakdown of law and order if not immediately reversed.”
Debo Ologunagba, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, stated this in a statement titled “Confirmation of APC’s Rhoda Gumus As INEC Commissioner, A “Coup” Against Democracy.”
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“By confirming Prof Gumus, the APC-led Senate leadership has exposed itself as anti-people and completely insensitive to Nigerians’ aspiration for credible and transparent elections in 2023,” the PDP said.
“The APC-led Senate’s action is highly provocative and incendiary because it violates paragraph 14 (2)(a) of the 3rd Schedule to the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), which states that “a member of the Commission shall be non-partisan and of unquestionable integrity.”
“The APC’s violent assault on the Constitution and our electoral process cannot be tolerated.”
“The media has been flooded with reports of Prof. Gumus being a member of the APC in Bayelsa State, complete with an APC Registration Form No: BAY/YEN/08/58315 and reportedly as number 27 in her APC Ward Register.”
According to the PDP, by nominating and confirming an APC card-carrying member into INEC, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), and the APC-led Senate leadership have flagrantly violated the provisions of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) Constitution, which they swore to uphold and defend.
“This action is intended to corrupt and compromise the Electoral Commission, paving the way for the APC to rig the 2023 general elections,” it said.
Nigerians will recall that President Buhari previously attempted to impose his aide and APC card-carrying member, Lauretta Onochie, as INEC Commissioner, but was strongly opposed by Nigerians.
“In flagrant violation of the Constitution and total disregard for the Nigerian people, the APC, which thrives on impunity, has nominated and confirmed Prof Gumus, another APC card-carrying member, as National Commissioner in INEC.”
Prof. Gumus must not be allowed to pollute INEC. Her mission has already been revealed, and our party is ready to mobilize our members and all patriotic Nigerians across the country by taking legitimate actions to protect the electoral body’s integrity.”
“Our party, therefore, issues a stern warning to Prof Gumus to avoid INEC in the interest of peace, as there is no way she can function in that office as an APC card-carrying member.” Election transparency is essential to democracy.
Nigerians have lost faith in the integrity of the INEC process under Prof. Gumus. Her appointment and confirmation are unconstitutional, so her continued presence in INEC will be toxic and taint the Commission with bias and manipulations ahead of the 2023 elections.”
The PDP demanded that President Buhari immediately withdraw Gumus’ appointment as INEC National Commissioner in accordance with his oath of office to uphold and defend the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s Constitution.
