Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has challenged President
Muhammadu Buhari to prosecute the Yobe State Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Abu Zarma, who was alleged to have received N15 million bribe to influence the Yobe State Governorship election.
The governor said it was only when that is done that the President’s
fight against corruption can enjoy the needed credibility, adding
that; “If nothing is done on a case as clear as that of the INEC REC,
Nigerians can as well kiss President Buhari anti-corruption fight
goodbye.”
In a release issued by his Special Assistant on Public Communications
and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose said it was worrisome
that despite that details of the two bank accounts of the INEC REC,
which showed that N15 million was lodged into his accounts few days to
the April 11 election was admitted as evidence by the Governorship
Election Petition Tribunal in the state, the REC has not been charged
to court.
He said; “It is on record that two officials of Diamond Bank Plc and
Zenith Bank Plc, tendered exhibits confirming the payment of N15
million into the REC’s accounts by the Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to Yobe
State Governor, Ibrahim Gaidam, Assistant Superintendent of Police,
Zakari Deba.
“The ADC allegedly paid N8 million into the Diamond Bank account of
the INEC REC and N7 million into his Zenith Bank accounts on April 8,
2015, three days before the governorship election. As at the time the
N8 million was paid into the Diamond Bank account, only N28, 000 was in the account.
“Why then is the Yobe INEC REC not being tried yet? Why has he not
been charged to court?
“If the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is
foot-dragging on the arraignment of the INEC REC and the governor’s
ADC, why hasn’t President Buhari directed the Police to commence the
prosecution?
“Therefore, in the spirit of President Buhari’s fight against
corruption, the Yobe State INEC REC and the ADC that paid the bribe
into his bank accounts should be charged to court without further
delay. This is more so that there are credible evidence(s) lending
credence to the fact that the REC actually took bribe to influence the
Yobe election.
“This is also important so as to further sanitise the electoral system
for more credible elections.
“Anything other than this will mean that the President’s
anti-corruption fight is only against some people while others,
especially those related to the President either by tribe, religion or
political party are sacred cows.”
