Bishop Isaac Idahosa, the Vice Presidential Candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the 2023 elections, has called for decisive action against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and public officials responsible for electoral shortcomings.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief program, Idahosa emphasized the urgent need for accountability to deter future electoral misconduct, which he believes undermines Nigeria’s democracy.
“We don’t punish anyone for their actions or inactions, so the cycle repeats itself,” he stated. “INEC escapes scrutiny, and without consequences, the same issues resurface. Accountability is the key to credible elections.”
The Bishop’s remarks come amid widespread criticism of the 2023 presidential election, which was declared in favor of Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Despite the introduction of technologies like the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) and the Bimodal Voter Registration System (BVAS) to enhance transparency, these tools failed to deliver as promised. INEC attributed the inconsistencies to technical glitches, sparking further backlash.
Idahosa, a trusted ally of NNPP presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso, stressed that holding elections on the same day across all levels—presidential, gubernatorial, and senatorial—could bolster credibility and reduce costs. “Conducting elections on the same day will minimize irregularities and produce better outcomes,” he suggested.
He also dismissed rumors of internal discord within the NNPP, reaffirming his strong relationship with Kwankwaso. “There is no crisis in our party,” he said. “Kwankwaso remains our national leader, and we continue to work closely together.”
As Nigeria looks ahead to future elections, Idahosa’s call for reforms highlights the critical importance of accountability and transparency in safeguarding the country’s democratic processes.
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