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A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Dele Momodu, has raised concerns over public confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stating that many Nigerians no longer trust the electoral body.
Speaking during an interview on News Central TV, Momodu clarified that his position was not a direct accusation against the commission but a reflection of public sentiment.
“I didn’t indict INEC, I said people don’t trust INEC. That was not an indictment; people don’t trust,” he said.
He also pointed to what he described as a pattern in the handling of opposition parties, alleging that institutions are sometimes used to destabilise them.
According to him, similar developments have affected multiple political parties in recent times, suggesting a recurring trend.
“INEC itself seemed to have accepted the David Mark-led NWC, and let me tell you, people go to court over frivolities whenever the ruling party wants to destabilise a particular party, and there is a pattern.
“So I don’t know what the argument is about, there is a pattern that is clear. They did it to PDP, they did it to Labour, they did it to NNPP, now they are doing it to ADC. I was there the day ADC was launched at the Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.
“I was there when everybody had resigned; the old NWC had resigned voluntarily. It was an open suit, and I’m sure you’ve seen letters and all kinds of documents in circulation.”
He further questioned the speed of the electoral body’s actions in matters involving opposition groups.
“The speed at which INEC jumps up to do things, once it involves the opposition, calls for an alarm,” he added.
Momodu maintained that his comments were driven by national interest rather than personal ambition.
“I’m not interested, I’m not contesting any election, I’m not interested in any position. I am speaking as a patriotic Nigerian. If we like, let all of us be hiding behind one finger, like Chief Abiola used to say, you cannot hide behind one finger.”
He also criticised what he described as political manoeuvring despite the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) numerical advantage.
“We all know the truth, we speak to those who are even in power. Majority of my friends are in APC. Now you’ve gathered and collected and formed so many people, like sheep, you’ve carried governors, carried this, carried that, they are all inside one party.
“Nobody’s complaining, I’m not bothered, everybody has a right of movement and association. But what I’m saying is, after all that, you are still not confident that you can win the election, and then you start creating this kind of hullabaloo. It is wrong, it’s unacceptable.”
