Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has accused the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration of setting the stage for chaos in the 2023 general elections.
Ortom’s media aide, Nathaniel Ikyur, quoted the governor as saying this in his speech at the headquarters of the International Republican Institute (IRI), Washington, when he paid a working visit to the institute.
The statement quoted Ortom, who was received at the institute by its Director, Africa Division, Gregory Kearns and the Deputy Director, Africa Division, Jenai Cox, as saying there were strong indications that the ruling All Progressives Congress was interfering with the operations of the Independent Electoral Commission regarding the conduct of the 2023 general elections.
It added that Ortom averred that INEC’s incoherence regarding electronic transmission of elections was unsettling.
“The fact that the umpire appears to shift the goalpost to accommodate the sloppiness of the ruling party in observing its ostensible firm timetable deadlines calls for concern,” he reportedly said.
The Benue governor alleged that the Buhari government is not working in the interest of Nigeria and its citizens, thereby setting the stage for chaos in 2023.
Ortom, therefore, challenged the international election monitors and the international community to stand on the side of justice with Nigerians to deliver a credible election that ensures peace and protects democracy in Nigeria.
Responding, IRI Director, Africa Division, Gregory Kearns, thanked Governor Ortom for his frank observations, which aligns with their mandate and reflected in their tactical pre-election report.
Kearns noted that it was important for Ortom as a critical stakeholder, political actor, and prominent figure in Nigeria to amplify his advocacy for credible polls.