The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Maurice Iwu, on Friday said the April 21 presidential election was uncertain.
In what seemed a dramatic U-turn from the commission�s earlier stand that the election will hold in spite of the death on Thursday of the Alliance for Demoracy�s presidential candidate, Chief Adebayo Adefarati, the INEC chairman told newsmen in Abuja that it was premature to say whether the election would hold or not.
Speaking at the commission�s headquarters after inaugurating Mr. Aniedi Ikoiwak as the new resident electoral commissioner representing Akwa Ibom State, Iwu said although the commission would continue with its preparations towards the general elections, it had not made up its mind on whether to hold the presidential poll or not.
This is contrary to the position of the commission as stated by the commission�s Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Segun Adeogun, who told reporters emphatically on Thursday that the election would hold as scheduled.
There had been apprehension following Adefarati�s death as to whether the electoral body would still go ahead with the poll. The doubt derived from Section 37(1) of the Electoral Act 2006, which states, �If after the time for the delivery of nomination paper and before the commencement of the poll, a nominated candidate dies, the Chief National Electoral Commissioner or the Resident Electoral Commissioner shall, being satisfied of the fact of the death, countermand the poll in which the deceased candidate was to participate and the commissioner shall appoint some other convenient date for election.�
Iwu said he and other members of the commission were jolted by Adefarati�s demise, saying the late politician was a nationalist.
He explained, �When he came for verification, we exchanged pleasantries and I told him that we were humbled by his past contributions to the country. I told him that despite his contributions, that I and other members of the commission were humbled by his sacrifice so far and the fact that he was even ready to make further sacrifice. I told him that it was inspiring that he did not even look his age, and I asked for the secret behind that. We will miss him.�
On whether the death will affect the forthcoming election, he said, �We are going ahead with the preparation for the elections. But it is premature for us to say now whether the (presidential) election will be postponed or not. That is all I can say. We are all Africans.�
Asked whether the numerous court cases on candidates� disqualification would not derail the election, Iwu said he did not think so. On whether the name of the former governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chris Ngige, who is also the candidate of the Action Congress would feature on the ballot, he said the commission would appeal the judgement of a federal high court in Abuja which voided the former governor�s disqualification on Wednesday.
Iwu said the verdict, if allowed to stay, would mean that Nigerians in the diaspora could also vie for elective offices and win elections without showing up, either for verification or even for the election.
He said, �If His Excellency, Dr. Ngige, wins this case, it means that Nigerians in the diaspora could vie for elective offices and they would win without coming home either to campaign or for verification of their papers. No, that is wrong. That is why we are appealing against the ruling in the interest of the nation.�
On the candidature of Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, who also won a case against his substitution as the Peoples Demcratic Party governorship candidate in Imo State with Chief Charles Ugwuh, at the Court of Appeal, Iwu said the commission would wait until the case is finally determined by the Supreme Court.
Incidentally, Ararume, wearing a blue guinea brocade attire, was seen briefly at the commission on Friday. His mission was not known as he refused to speak with our correspondent who accosted him.
Reacting to Friday�s rejection by a court of the tenure restoration case instituted by the Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, the INEC boss said the victory was victory for democracy. He said what Obi wanted to do was to extend his �tenure based on calendar rather than tenure.�
He also said the commission would not jettison the printing of candidates� photographs on the ballot papers. According to him, �We have not changed our position on that. The ballot papers of presidential and governorship candidates will still carry their photos. We have not changed our position on that.�
Iwu also said the commission would as from Saturday (today) publish the Notice of Poll, which will specify the day and hours fixed for the poll and location of the polling stations nationwide. Section 47 of the Electoral Act, 2006 states, �The commission shall, not later than 14 days before the day of the election, cause to be published, in such a manner as it deems fit, a notice specifying the following matters – (a) the day and hours fixed for the poll; (b) by way of indication, the persons entitled to vote; and (c) the location of the poling stations.�