INEC domination by APC loyalists sparks ADC crisis, alleges Marafa

Senator Kabiru Marafa, the Zamfara State coordinator for the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Organisation in the 2023 election, has made a startling allegation that most of the appointed leaders of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, are card-carrying members of the ruling party, which contradicts the law.

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Marafa, who represented Zamfara Central Senatorial District, claimed that the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, is making every effort to ensure that the 2027 presidential election is uncontested, despite boasting of having around 31 state governors.

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Speaking in an interview with Vanguard, Senator Marafa expressed his concern that any attempt to turn Nigeria into a one-party state will ultimately fail, describing the situation as "confused" and stating that politicians have not learned from past experiences.

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He emphasized that Nigeria is too large and diverse a country to be dominated by a single political party, saying "you cannot, by any stretch of the imagination, railroad a country of nearly 300 million people into just one political party."

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Marafa warned that many individuals who have attempted to impose their will on the country in the past have failed, and he is confident that the current efforts to create a one-party system will also fail "by the special grace of God."

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When asked if he has confidence in INEC, Senator Marafa responded that he does not, citing the fact that the electoral umpire's leadership is comprised of card-carrying members of political parties, rather than neutral, non-partisan individuals as required by law.

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He pointed out that the law establishing INEC stipulates that appointees must be neutral and non-partisan, but in reality, "everybody knows that it is card-carrying members of political parties that are being appointed into positions of authority in INEC."

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Marafa criticized INEC's interpretation of the law regarding the leadership of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, calling it "unfortunate and laughable" and accusing the electoral umpire of partisanship.

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He argued that the concept of reverting to the "status quo" is being misinterpreted, and that INEC's decision not to recognize the ADC leadership is biased and lacks sense.

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Senator Marafa questioned the neutrality of the INEC chairman, asking where he was when the APC was "messing up" and why he is now taking a different approach.

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He expressed his concern that the APC is trying to avoid contesting the election, stating that the party "doesn't want to go into election with opponents" and is attempting to go unopposed.

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Marafa criticized the INEC timetable, which he believes does not make sense, and questioned what the electoral umpire plans to do with the extensive period of time between the primaries and the election.

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When asked about the political party affiliation of INEC officials, Senator Marafa replied that they are members of the ruling party, but emphasized that regardless of their party affiliation, they will ultimately "dance to the music of he that appoints them."

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Marafa warned that attempting to play God and impose a one-party system on the country will ultimately fail, saying "anybody that tried to play God, God always has a way of showing human beings that God is God and human beings are human beings."