TheCable

Bola Tinubu, the national leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and former governor of Lagos state, says the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is planning to rig the 2015 election in favour of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Speaking during a press conference on Saturday, Tinubu alleged that the electoral body was not for prepared for the forthcoming election.

He criticised the poor conduct of the PVC distribution exercise in Lagos, describing it as a failure.

“INEC has done nothing but a trial run in Lagos. We adjudge this exercise a failure,” he said.

“Our reports from the field show that the exercise has failed and it is unacceptable. In some areas, INEC did not start on time and the cards were not properly sorted.

“This exercise is not acceptable. INEC is colluding with the presidency to rig the forthcoming election. INEC has merged with Jonathan to form a formidable rigging body.

“They are working in cohorts with the ruling party to deliberately bungle the exercise in order to favour the ruling party.”

Tinubu expressed worries over the reduction of the voting population of the state, challenging INEC to publish the voters register.

“The 2011 election in Lagos state was concluded with a known figure of 6.2 million registered voters. Surprisingly, the recent figure claimed by INEC had whittled that figure down to 4.8 million.

“The reasons for this sudden and steep drop are shrouded in mystery and suspicion. APC demands INEC making public the voters’ register. We have a constitutional right under the freedom of information act to do so.”

Meanwhile, INEC has assured that no eligible voter would be disenfranchised in Lagos, appealing to residents of the state to be patient.

Lawrence Nwuruku, the officer in charge of monitoring PVC, made the call while speaking to journalists on Saturday.

“We will do everything possible to ensure that all eligible voters get their permanent voter cards,” he said.

“Nobody, including new registrants, will be disqualified.”