Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has renewed his criticism of the conduct of the 2023 presidential election, questioning the credibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the timing of the announcement of the election results.
Speaking during an interview on Symfoni, Baba-Ahmed expressed concern over the declaration of the presidential election result in the early hours of the morning, describing the development as inconsistent with public expectations of transparency and accountability.
The former vice-presidential candidate argued that Nigerians should not overlook the circumstances surrounding the announcement of the election outcome, insisting that electoral processes must inspire confidence among citizens.
According to him, questions remain about why the results were declared at approximately 4 a.m. despite earlier expectations that the announcement would be made later in the day.
“I keep asking why Nigerians seem to accept everything without questioning it. How can an electoral commission chairman reportedly assure observers and stakeholders that results would be announced by a certain time, only for the declaration to be made around 4 a.m.?” he queried.
Baba-Ahmed maintained that the timing of the announcement raised concerns about the integrity of the process and deserved public scrutiny.
The Labour Party chieftain further criticised the electoral body, arguing that such actions undermine public trust in democratic institutions.
He also took a swipe at the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, reiterating his longstanding position on the 2023 presidential election and the process that produced the current government.
According to Baba-Ahmed, electoral institutions must uphold the highest standards of transparency, fairness and credibility to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and reassure citizens that their votes count.
His comments add to ongoing debates surrounding the conduct of the 2023 general elections, which have continued to generate political discussions among stakeholders across the country.
AIV NEWS reports that INEC has consistently maintained that the 2023 presidential election was conducted in accordance with the provisions of the law, while various election-related disputes arising from the polls have been addressed through the country’s judicial processes.
