INEC warns Edo politicians against wild, spurious allegations

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Monday, warned political actors in the July 14 governorship election in Edo State to desist from making 'wild and spurious allegations capable of heating up the polity''.This is contained in a report on investigation into the allegations made by some political parties and candidates on the July 14 election, presented by INEC chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, to political stakeholders in Edo State.The meeting was held in Abuja between INEC officials and major political actors in Edo State.Jega cautioned the stakeholders not `` to divert the commission's attention from the main essential issues.''He said INEC had conducted thorough investigations into all the allegations made by some political parties and candidates, adding that investigations conducted on the allegation that the National Youth Service Corps' neutrality and fairness had been compromised indicated that it was a spurious allegation.'The commission has viewed the video clips given to it by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in which corps members were alleged to have participated in Governor Adams Oshiomhole's political rallies.'The video shows young men and women wearing khaki shirts and trousers that resemble those of NYSC, but there is no evidence that those people were youth corps members.'Jega further said that there was an allegation that PDP had commenced the purchase of voter cards from eligible registered voters from other states at a cost of N10, 000 per card.He said the purchase of voter cards was a criminal offence, adding that INEC was aware that a few arrests had been made by the police in Edo State and the suspects would soon be prosecuted.He maintained that there was no evidence that the PDP was fine-tuning the unlawful use of police and military men to intimidate voters at the polls.According to him, the activities of Inter Agency Consultative Committee on election security have dealt with all the past challenges on the role of security forces during elections.Jega said, ``investigations have revealed that virtually all the allegations are spurious and speculative in an atmosphere of intense mutual suspicion such allegations and counter allegations are bound to take place.''However, INEC appealed to all political parties to work toward a violent free election, devoid of rigging and other actions that could infringe on the electoral act of 2010 as amended.The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the report was presented to the national and state chairmen, secretaries and governorship candidates of the seven political parties involved in the election.
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