— Says Electoral Umpire Must Demonstrate Impartiality, Not Selective Outrage
By Ogechi Nwachukwu
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has questioned the apparent inconsistency in the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) response to threats of electoral violence, following its condemnation of the “rig and die” slogan ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party recalled the widely reported remarks attributed to Edo State APC Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, threatening the use of AK-47 rifles against those who refuse to vote for President Bola Tinubu.
“Why has INEC found its voice to condemn ‘rig and die’ but remained conspicuously silent on the threat by an APC chairman to use AK-47 rifles against opposition voters? Is a slogan more dangerous than a gun? Or does the identity of the person making the threat determine what INEC considers electoral violence?
“If INEC is concerned about the language of those warning against electoral rigging, should it not be even more concerned when a political party official threatens voters with AK-47 rifles? Has INEC referred the matter to security agencies? If not, why not?”
The ADC said the Commission’s latest intervention is appropriate, but it must not give the impression that it is only concerned when the ruling party is at the receiving end.
The party maintained that it rejects electoral violence in all forms, whether threatened by opposition supporters or officials of the ruling party.
“However, INEC cannot demand peaceful elections without demonstrating equal concern for those threatened with violence. Its responsibility is not merely to condemn inflammatory language, but to demand an environment that permits every Nigerian to vote freely.”
