A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Uche Nwosu, has described the prosecution and conviction of a University Professor in Akwa Ibom, Peter Ogban, as a major boost in the efforts to sanitize the electoral process.
He commended the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, for setting example that will serve as a deterrent to corrupt electoral officers.
According to Nwosu, the jailing of the Professor of soil science in the University of Calabar, who announced false results in Akwa Ibom North-West District, will strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
In a chat with media, Nwosu urged INEC to suspend the use of University Professors for sensitive election duties, adding that the academics are constituting serious threat to the nation’s electoral process and democracy.
He posited that the Commission can source manpower from other government agencies and Ministries, instead of the electoral process at risk.
In his words, “I want to commend the INEC National Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, for setting a standard by prosecuting the Professor. This singular act will help to sanitize the electoral system and strengthen our democracy.
“I was a victim in the 2019 governorship election, when a Professor who was appointed as the Returning Officer announced the election result in disobedience to the Electoral Act.
“INEC should review the use of University Professors; they’re only hidden under the cloak of the Academia to perpetrate fraud. INEC should look at engaging ad-hoc Staff from other government Agencies instead of these corrupt Professors.”
