Prince Ned Nwoko
By Timothy Elerewe
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is not operating as an independent body and according to its mandate.
This is the verdict of a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon Ned Nwoko at a Democracy Day lecture titled, “Getting it Right Ahead of 2023” organised by the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists Federal Capital Territory Council in Abuja
He argued that INEC should be made a First Line Charged agency to insulate it from the control of the Executive Arm of government.
According the former lawmaker, the Commission should be allowed to appoint its own Commissioners and other sensitive appointments in order to guarantee its independence
He believes the true independence of INEC could only guarantee the free and fair election in 2023.
Regarding the rift between Twitter and the Federal government, Hon Nwoko, a lawyer by profession, commended the decision of the government to ban Twitter.
He said the Federal government and the country would be rewarded for its action against Twitter because it would gain from Twitter being made to establish its presence, employ Nigerians, pay taxes and other benefits
