The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has responsed to the calls for the disqualification of President Buhari by the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Uche Secondus and other chieftains of the party.
Th Commission noted that President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress, APC, did not violate any section of the 1999 constitution by inviting foreign governors from Niger to attend his Kano rally.
It will be recalled that the PDP has urged security agencies to investivate the presence of two governors from Niger republic at the President’s rally in Kano.
The PDP noted that the development could undermine the electoral process and national security.
Prince Uche Secondus, the party’s national chairman, had urged INEC, to disqualify President Buhari over what he termed importation of mercenaries.
“In Kano, Buhari brought mercenaries to vote and influence elections in Nigeria. I, therefore, call on INEC to disqualify Buhari for bringing mercenaries,” he said.
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However, the INEC director of Voter Education and Publicity, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, said that the governors’ presence in Kano does not violate the law “as far as I am aware”.
Osaze-Uzzi noted that the law only prohibits foreigners’ direct involvement in the electoral process.
“They are not allowed to participate as either candidates or voters. Election: CISLAC wants CCTV Cameras in polling units, collation centres “But they can only observe the process. As far as I am concerned, their presence does not violate the constitution.
“INEC has no power to disqualify any candidate.”
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