"WIKE IS NOT SERIOUS", INEC SAYS.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared that activities leading to the 2019 general elections are currently in full preparation, emphasising that the body would not allow itself to be taken away from its common goal  by the Rivers State First Citizen, Mr Nyesom Wike.

Coming from the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of INEC, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, Who revealed in a cell phone discussion with PUNCH correspondent on Monday, implored all Nigerian citizens to renounce the assertion by Mr Nyesom Wike that the Body was not at all ready for the upcoming nationwide elections.

Mr Nyesom Wike had declared in an session with Sunday PUNCH that community institutions like INEC do not have the estimated trust, stressing that the Body was simply impressed in a jamboree to trick Nigerian Citizens and to squander money.

The Rivers Number One Citizen also gave forth an argument that the Independence National Electoral Commission should make use of the card reader for all electoral processes instead of the manual accreditation where the card readers failed.

“If we want to get election right in this country, INEC must say where the card readers do not work, elections should be held the next day.

“Nigeria should provide the funds. We should not do the wrong thing because of fund. Some argue that this thing is also done in advanced countries, but they forget that those places have established institutions and there is trust also. Here, there is no institution and there is no trust.

“In 2019, let me tell you, and mark this day, INEC is not prepared for any election. What they are doing is a jamboree to make sure that they are spending money. They can’t deceive me,” Wike had said.

In response, Oyekanmi declared that Wike was not an human being that may possibly be taken serious on an subject of countrywide significance.

He said in contrast to Wike’s allegation, INEC was making arrangements for the 2019 electioneering as publicized by the new validation of its Strategic Plan by stakeholders in the society.

The INEC Boss avowed more that equally an aspect of the preparations towards 2019, the F.G. had chosen 27 Resident Electoral Commissioners while the Senate passed the amendments to the Electoral Act.

He stated further that the Body was dedicated to its preparations in lieu of the coming of the upcoming gubernatorial election in Anambra State and can not afford to shift their focus.

He said, “The Rivers State Governor is entitled to his opinion and I think Nigerians know him too well to take him seriously on any issue of national importance.

“But as far as INEC is concerned, our preparation for the 2019 general elections is on course. Stakeholders have just validated our Strategic Plan. The Federal Government recently appointed 27 Resident Electoral Commissioners and the Senate, thank God, has also just passed the amendments to the Electoral Act.

“We have the Anambra State governorship election to conduct later this year. Besides, the re-organisation of the commission is being carried out. So, we are on course and cannot be distracted.”