Date: 2016-11-30

In this exclusive interview with KAYODE ADEOTI, the Head of Voters' Education Publicity Department and Civil Society Organisation of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kwara State, Barr. Jacob Iyanda speaks on challenges of the commission, its position on the factions in the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the IPAC/CNPP crisis among other sundry issues. Excerpts:

How will you situate the discrepancy between CNPP and IPAC in the state as each of them has been laying claims to be the authentic body of political party in Kwara?

Well, as far as INEC is concerned and even the parties, we all work under the umbrella of IPAC. They had election not too long ago here in our commission's headquarters. To us, the state chapter of IPAC has authentic recognition under the law. IPAC has the mandatory statutory and we are to function under that in the face of law.

How has the issue of funding been affecting the commission and what is being done, if any, to improve on the commission's finances?

To pay salary or what? INEC has never complained that the commission is underfunded. And moreover, when you talk of funding, it's not the responsibility of the state chapter of INEC rather the national headquarters. Funding has never been an issue to the commission. Whenever it's time for the commission to function, we perform our duties diligently. Election is a very sensitive exercise that must be handled with care, mistake in it can be grievous. From the national body, they ensure all necessary facilities are provided to facilitate smooth running of the election at any point in time. That is the issue.

There have been agitations to scrap the local chapters of INEC in the states across the country, is there any way INEC can collaborate with bodies like KWASIEC in conducting credible elections in the state instead of its proposed scrapping?

INEC is a statutory body recognised by law and by the Nigeria constitution. Same thing with KWASIEC and each of them has their functions clearly stipulated in the constitution. There is no ambiguity about it at all. We carry out the registration of voters and we conduct the election afterwards. The same goes with KWASIEC. I think we have clear and distinctive responsibilities which cannot be altered. The law has not given us that space where we can work together. But I believe the two commissions are independent. The issue that there are agitations to scrap KWASIEC is rife doesn't concern INEC. We all have our legal establishing law to perform our duties.

INEC has been accused of working in favour of the ruling government by most of the opposition parties in the country, what can you say about the issue as it relates to Kwara State?

Firstly If I may ask, is there any activity of the commission in the state which the people questioned? I've not heard any. INEC is an independent body that works independently. It's an Independent Electoral Commission, and I want you to mark the word INDEPENDENT. We work with our electoral officers. And for one ruling government to be instituting our assembly is not possible because we are under the control of our national body.

Voters education has been an integral part of electoral process, how has INEC improved on this?

Voters education is so important that it's suppose to be the business of everyone. Each party is supposed to be efficient in this, including the society and even the NGOs. We are all supposed to be doing our best. Presently we are doing a lot on that just to get our people well equipped with what they need. We are not waiting till election comes for us to now start going about, by that time, it would no longer be our concern. It's everyone's business in the society.

We hook up with the media to enlighten the public about their rights. We are not resting on our oars. It is an ongoing process and we are not going to stop. This is the beginning of getting it right in an election. Our people must be well informed on the modalities of the poll. We are also making our people to understand that they should desist from all sort of negative vices that can jeopardise the process of the election or even their lives. This is the gospel we want to preach and we want it to be imbibed and domesticated. The youth most especially should not allow themselves to be bought over or induced with money or any other material things.

We have two factions of PDP in the state. If this crisis lingers till election time, what would be the yardstick INEC would employ to determine which of the factions is the authentic in Kwara?

Just as I've said, INEC is a statutory body and what governs it is the rule of law. There are specific procedures we'll follow to determine which of the factions will finally emerge and be recognised at the end of the day. A party don't just spring up one day. There are ways in the party system in which executives of the party should be upheld. Whenever the election comes, the INEC will know how to go about it. INEC will look into the election that produced each of the factions and see if it follows normal procedure. A party can't just suddenly come up one day.

There must have been some laid down procedures that will be followed. So, all these and more are what the commission is going to look into before any faction is recognised. Also, don't forget that we work in line with the constitution, what the law says about it is what will prevail at the end of the day. There is no doubt about that.