‘We don’t have preference for any candidate, party,’ INEC reacts to its official Twitter handle liking anti-Obi post
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reacted to its Twitter account liking a post relating to a presidential candidate.
On Wednesday, INEC’s official Twitter account liked a post in which Seun Kuti, last son of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, criticised Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP).
Just look at @inecnigeria liking a post on Twitter where Peter Obi was called an opportunist.
Just look at INEC handlers. pic.twitter.com/oWkTzstOId
— Mo-Mo? (@Morris_Monye) February 8, 2023
Kuti, in the post, described the LP candidate “an opportunist that can’t deliver Nigeria”.
The commission was heavily criticised over the incident with many Twitter users accusing INEC of bias and partiality.
But the commission, in a statement reacting to the incident on its Twitter handle, maintained its neutrality and said it has no preferred candidate.
The attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been drawn to a post on its Twitter handle, liking a post relating to one of the 18 Presidential candidates.
The Commission is an independent electoral body and does not have preference for any candidate
— INEC Nigeria (@inecnigeria) February 8, 2023
It added that it is investigating the matter and will take disciplinary actions if needed.
“The attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been drawn to a post on its Twitter handle, liking a post relating to one of the 18 Presidential candidates,” the statement reads.
“The Commission is an independent electoral body and does not have preference for any candidate or political party. The Commission assures all Nigerians of its neutrality and will conduct a general election that is free and fair to all. The allegiance of the Commission is to the people of Nigeria.
“In the meantime, the Commission is investigating the circumstances that led to the liking of the said post and will take appropriate disciplinary actions if an infraction is established.”
