Opunabo Inko-Tariah, a former special adviser to Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike on media and publicity, has criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its silence regarding Executive Orders 21 and 22, which the governor recently approved.
He was curious as to why INEC, which is the only body authorized by the Electoral Act 2022 and the Nigerian Constitution, has not responded to the two Executive Orders that have restricted the state’s political party activities.
Speaking with LEADERSHIP yesterday in Port Harcourt, Inko-Tariah also questioned why the governor, who claimed to have done well for the people of the state, would be afraid to have his People’s Democratic Party (PDP) compete with other political parties in the state’s governorship election in 2023.
He said, “What we have in Rivers State is a match of terror, conquest and subjugation by a tyrant, who is averse to opposition, who cannot brook decent and so will stop at nothing to stifle the opposition. That is what is going on.
“He claims he has the pleasant legacies that will qualify his candidate or make his candidate win the forthcoming gubernatorial election. If you actually have those qualities, then, why are you frightened?
“Most of these Executive Orders 21 and 22 are ultra viral of the Electoral Act and the Constitution. Only INEC, going by the Electoral Act and the Constitution has that power to conduct and give guidelines on the conduct of an election, pre, during and post. So, these Executive Orders are in conflict with the electoral laws and the constitution.
