As political parties commence primaries today to nominate candidates for the 2027 general elections, the resident electoral commissioner (REC) for Akwa Ibom, Prof Anugbum Onuoha, has charged them to allow integrity and fidelity to guard the conduct of the process.
Speaking during the maiden media interaction upon his assumption of office as the state’s REC of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Onuoha called for all hands to be on deck to ensure credible outcomes during the primaries and the general elections.
Vowing to deliver a hitch-free contest that aligns with the “substantial compliance” demand of the Electoral Act, Prof Onuoha reminded the people not to expect a 100 percent free, fair and transparent exercise which, according to him, only God can guarantee but assured to do his best for a better result.
The REC, who reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to conducting credible polls, enjoined the media, political parties, civil society organisations and registered voters to be in the vanguard of guarding the exercises towards having acceptable outcomes.
Ahead of the contest, Onuoha frowned at political parties already launching campaigns, vowing punitive measures as enshrined in the electoral law as campaigns, he warned, have yet to start.
The REC extended his hands of fellowship to the media, noting that it remains an indispensable partner in voter education, public enlightenment and the dissemination of accurate and credible information to the public.
He stressed that professional, fair, and responsible journalism is essential to ensuring transparency and strengthening the credibility of the nation’s electoral system.
Prof Onuoha, therefore, cautioned political parties and their supporters to refrain from premature political campaigns, emphasising that INEC has not yet lifted the ban on political campaigning ahead of future elections.
He stressed that any form of early campaigning in violation of the Electoral Act would not be tolerated by the commission, adding that “all political actors are expected to operate within the provisions of the law to ensure a peaceful and orderly electoral process.”
