TheCable

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reiterated that Amina Zakari, national commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), must not take part in the elections.

Zakari’s appointment as head of the collation centre for the elections has been met with criticism, particularly from the opposition party.

Kola Ologbondiyan, PDP national publicity secretary, on Friday expressed concern over her involvement when the party received Hannah Roberts, deputy chief observer, European Union Election Observation Mission Nigeria 2019, in Abuja.

Ologbondiyan said the opposition party doubts INEC’s sincerity to conduct credible elections if Zakari is expected to play a key role.

The PDP national spokesperson noted that it was not only PDP that was averse to this arrangement.

He said that other political parties had also expressed reservations on the seeming partisan role of security agencies and that of Zakari in the forthcoming coming elections.

“Zakari should not be found anywhere near the process. We have made our position known to INEC because there will be a direct conflict of interest,” he said.

Ologbondiyan called on the European Union (EU) to prevail on members of the security agencies to remain apolitical during the conduct of the elections.

He said the PDP expects that the election should be free and fair.

“PDP as a party does not believe in violence, but would like presidency and INEC to conduct free and fair election, outside of this, we will not agree,” the PDP spokesman said.