By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger state has expressed disappointment over composition of the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC) list, pointing out that it clearly shows that the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) have little or no knowledge of the relevant laws that guides selection of membership of such electoral body.
Governor Mohammed Umar Bago in a statement from the office of the Special Adviser on Digital Media and Strategy announced an 8-member of NSIEC, all former leaders/members of the ruling APC.
The list included; Engineer Mohammed Jibrin Imam, former state party chairman as the Commission's chairman, M. A. Liman and Nasiru Ubandiya as Permanent Commissioner 1 and 2 respectively.
Others are; Yahaya Idris Abara, Permanent Commissioner 3, Capt. Mohammed Baro (rtd) Permanent Commissioner 4, Kabiru Tanko Zama, Permanent Commissioner 5, Amina Guar Permanent Commissioner 6 and Ahmed Borgu, Permanent Commissioner 7.
Niger state PDP chairman, Tanko Beji, reacting to the list said it clearly casts doubts about the knowledge of the APC administration on the constitution regarding membership of electoral bodies to conduct transparent, free and fair election to all participating political parties.
Expressing disappointment over the level of ignorant of the relevant laws by the Bago led administration, Beji said, "I don't know if the APC people are conversant with the laws".
He said, "What the Bago led APC government has just done is in clear disregard to laid down rules which is the hall mark of the political party".
"The list is all APC list, from the Chairman, Secretary down to the last name. I am disappointed in this list", adding that the APC has once more demonstrated its penchant for violating the law. NNL.
