PDP Makes U-turn, Passes Vote Of Confidence On Jega Led INEC

by Chukwuka Obi

The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party and its governors have said they have confidence in the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega.

PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, PDPPCO had lampooned the Chairman, INEC, Professor Jega, accusing him of being economical with the truth on what actually necessitated the shift in the dates of the Presidential and general elections from February 14 and 28 to March 28 and April 11.

This position was stated at a press briefing addressed by the National Chairman of the ruling party, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu in Abuja on Thursday.

At the briefing, which was held at the national headquarters of the party, were some governors of the party led by the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, who is also the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio.
The position of the party and its governors was a departure from the position of its campaign directorate which had threatened to pass a vote of no confidence in Jega and his team.

The campaign team, through its Director of Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, had complained about the distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards, which it alleged was being skewed in favour of the opposition, the All Progressives Congress.

Mu’azu however differed on this at the press briefing, saying that the postponement of the elections would enable the chairman of the commission and his team to distribute the remaining voter cards.

He said even President Goodluck Jonathan had expressed confidence in the chairman of the commission and that with that, there was no way the party would defer from the President’s position.

He said, “You asked if the party has confidence in Jega? My answer is not far-fetched.

“The President stated during his media briefing last night (Wednesday) that he has confidence in Jega.
“We also have confidence in Jega that he and his team will conduct free, fair and transparent elections.”