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February 8, 2023
The report was published and shared on Twitter by Premium Times.
Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has reiterated its neutrality in the forthcoming election, assuring Nigerians that it will conduct free and fair election for the country.
The commission which was reacting to a post on its Twitter handle, liking a post relating to one of the 18 presidential candidates, insisted that its allegiance is to the people of Nigeria.
SaharaReporters earlier today reported that a news report wherein Seun Anikulapo-Kuti, Nigerian musician and son of the late afro-beat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti described the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi as “an opportunist who cannot rescue Nigeria” was liked on Twitter by INEC.
The report was published and shared on Twitter by Premium Times.
However, INEC official handle was one of the 324 Twitter users who liked the post, which called to question the anonymity and neutrality of the commission in its conduct of the February 25 presidential election and overall general elections.
Seun had in the report which was from an interview with the online platform, Mic On podcast, hosted by Channels TV’s Seun Okinbaloye argued that no politician could save Nigeria except for Nigerians themselves.
The podcast also had Japhet Omojuwa and Sijibomi Ogundele as guests.
The singer further described the Labour Party’s presidential candidate as the internet’s favourite whom he claimed might not be able to rescue Nigeria from its current challenges even if he won the election.
He also referred to Obi as “an opportunist who started a movement” after losing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary election.
“He hasn’t had the time because he started too late. You can’t be telling me that just because you lost PDP primaries 18 months before the election, you suddenly started a movement, and you have a plan for the country,” he had said.
“No, that’s opportunism. And it’s not an opportunist that will deliver Nigeria—not jumping on Labour Party. The Labour Party has a socialist structure. Peter Obi is a capitalist. Where are they going?”
In the statement issued via INEC official Twitter handle, on Wednesday, the commission said it would investigate circumstances that led to the liking of the said post and would take appropriate disciplinary actions if an infraction was established.
The statement reads, "The attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been drawn to a post on its Twitter handle, liking a post relating to one of the 18 Presidential candidates.
"The Commission is an independent electoral body and does not have preference for any candidate or political party.
"The Commission assures all Nigerians of its neutrality and will conduct a general election that is free and fair to all. The allegiance of the Commission is to the people of Nigeria.
"In the meantime, the Commission is investigating the circumstances that led to the liking of the said post and will take appropriate disciplinary actions if an infraction is established."