…Call for immediate amendment of the Electoral Act
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has
Alleged that members of the party were harassed and intimidated by political brokers across Lagos State.
The ADC said this trend has made it difficult for party members to hold meetings and conduct political activities in various local government areas of Lagos State.
ADC local government area chairmen in Lagos said this during a press conference at FESTAC.
Ugochukwu Anyare, the head of LGA chairmen of the ADC in Lagos State, speaking on behalf of his colleagues, said there were reports of targeted attacks by party members across Lagos and security agencies appeared helpless.
According to him, almost all our colleagues in the 20 LGAs of the state have reported some form of threat or attack.
“We have escalated these to the party hierarchy and law enforcement agencies, especially the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS). Sadly, these threats and attacks appear to be intolerable,” the party said.
Enare told that the party does not do this
Do not want its members and leaders to any longer be intimidated, harassed or brutalized by any person or group of persons under any guise.
He stressed that a similar situation was witnessed in the 2023 elections where party members were arrested and attacked across Lagos.
He called on security agencies to arrest any individual or group making inflammatory remarks and threatening to attack voters ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Also read: Defection of governors part of a conspiracy for a one-party state- ADC
“Due to these serious concerns we have, we appeal to the relevant national and subnational authorities to take adequate steps to secure our votes and protect the lives and property of Nigerian voters, irrespective of their state, religion, sect, party affiliation,” he said.
The party called for immediate amendments to the 1999 Constitution and the 2022 Electoral Act, citing concerns over the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the appointment of Supreme Court judges.
This is as the party reaffirmed its readiness to change the trajectory of the country, saying Nigerians are facing untold hardships due to the current government programs and projects, which appear to be far from addressing them.
“The strong view is that the sanctity of the 2027 elections cannot be guaranteed unless certain aspects of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the 2022 Electoral Act are amended immediately.
ALSO READ: Furious Fubara begins reactivation of projects after canceling N134bn renovation project
“As it is currently constituted, we believe that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is not truly independent and we urgently demand that the President should not have the power to appoint the leadership of the electoral umpire. The appointment of Supreme Court Justices should also be done in the same manner.”
