By correspondent in Ilorin.
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger State has expressed dissatisfaction with the composition of the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC), criticizing it as a clear indication that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has little regard for the relevant laws governing the selection of members for such electoral bodies.
Governor Mohammed Umar Bago, through a statement from the Special Adviser on Digital Media and Strategy, recently announced the appointment of an 8-member NSIEC, all of whom are former leaders and members of the APC.
The list includes Engineer Mohammed Jibrin Imam, former state APC chairman, as the Commission’s chairman, along with M. A. Liman and Nasiru Ubandiya as Permanent Commissioners 1 and 2, respectively. Other appointees include Yahaya Idris Abara, Capt. Mohammed Baro (rtd), Kabiru Tanko Zama, Amina Guar, and Ahmed Borgu.
In response, Tanko Beji, the Niger State PDP chairman, voiced concerns about the APC administration’s apparent lack of understanding of the constitutional requirements for appointing electoral body members to ensure transparent, free, and fair elections for all political parties. Beji said, “I don’t know if the APC people are conversant with the laws,” adding that the list ignored established rules.
He further emphasized that the entire NSIEC list is comprised solely of APC members, from the chairman to the last appointee. Expressing his disappointment, Beji remarked, “The APC has once again shown its disregard for the law.”
