My fears for Edo, Ondo guber elections— NPC Chair

National chairman, Nigeria Peoples Congress, NPC, Barrister Suleiman Ahmed Akasawua, in this interview with OpenLife Staff Writer, Isaac Ngumah, expresses fears over INEC’s  capability to conduct free and transparent elections in the 2020 Edo and Ondo State governorship contest

How are your major moves since INEC proscribed your party and others?

My decision and that of members and leaders of  the 74 political parties is that the deregistration of political parties by INEC is illegal, unfair and unconstitutional and that is why we have gone to court to challenge the decision.        

We are already in court together with others to challenge the undemocratic decision of INEC to deregister some political parties and have already been granted an injunction by the court against INEC    

What are your chances of defeating INEC in court?

We have all the necessary structures to win the court case against INEC. You will recall that INEC had deregistered our party before and we challenged INEC in court and won the case. We are also confident of winning the present case against INEC God willing            

What are your projections in the

Edo and Ondo States guber election?

With the shoddy elections conducted by INEC in 2019 and in Kogi and Bayelsa States, I have lost faith in the ability of INEC under Professor Yakubu to conduct free and credible elections in Ondo and Edo States. However my party NPC will seek to contest both elections.    

Does your loss of confidence in INEC connect with inappropriate electoral reforms?

The provisions of the electoral act are enough for INEC to conduct free and credible elections What is lacking is the willingness of INEC to follow religiously the electoral act in the conduct of elections Whatever the reforms that are put in place if INEC decides not to faithfully follow them will be an exercise in futility.                                 

Regional security outfits are emerging in  Nigeria. What are your views?

Regional Security in Nigeria has become a child of necessity and in consonance with Nigeria’s Federal system of government The creation of regional security outfits has also become sine qua non due to the domination of the security outfits in the country by a section of the country under the present administration which has created fear in the minds of other sections of the country of a hidden agenda.

Do you agree with the declaration of Nigeria as  the poverty capital of the world?

 Indeed you don’t need a soothsayer to tell you that Nigeria is now the poverty capital of the world which is very sad and unfortunate considering the resources God has endowed the country