Zakari’s appointment a sign of Buhari’s desperation to use INEC to rig election —Fayose

Former governor Ayodele Fasoye has reacted to the appointment of a supposed Niece of President Muhammadu Buhari, Amina Zakari as the head of INEC collation centre for the 2019 elections.

Fayose said the move by Buhari was a sheer desperation to ensure the APC wins the February 16 presidential election.

Through his Media Aide, Lere Olayinke, Fayose on Saturday said it was obvious Buhari had already incorporated INEC into his rigging plan.

He added that the President traded morality for emotions by appointing someone of his bloodline as an umpire in an election that was supposed to be unbiased.

He said, “A president, who took oath of office that he will be equitable and fair to all must be seen to be acting in accordance with this oath and the moment issues like this are raised, it is not for INEC and the Presidency to be rigid and act as if they don’t care.”

“In fact, the President had even vowed never to run for the presidency after the 2011 election. Now that he is candidate and also a sitting President, fairness and equity demands that she should step aside from playing any role in this election.”

“Certain things can be good, but might not morally right. This issue of Amina Zakari, a known blood relation of the APC presidential candidate functioning as INEC head of collation centre is morally wrong.

“Possibility of bias is being raised, INEC and the Presidency should be reminded of the position of Lord Denning on how the issue of likelihood of bias should be viewed.

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“Even if Amina Zakari can be as impartial as she can be, nevertheless, now that Nigerians are thinking that there is real likelihood of her being bias, she should excuse herself. More so that she is not the only National Commissioner in INEC.

“Should the PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar and other presidential candidates also have their relatives as part of INEC committee on collation of results?

“Therefore, the Presidency and INEC have the moral burden to prove to Nigerians that they are not in any way out to shortchanged them.”

Referring to the PDP led government of former President Goodluck Jonathan who appointed Prof Atahiru Jega as INEC Chairman, Fasoye said Buhari would have made himself a hero by following a similar path in sustaining the legacy he inherited when he stepped into office.

Fasoye who explained the alleged desperation of the federal government to rig the elections, said “it won’t be a surprise if tomorrow, Nigerians are told that the tenure of the Inspector General of Police, Idris Ibrahim has been extended, not because he has done well protecting Nigerians, but in furtherance to the plot to use the security agencies to rig the elections.”

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