By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Nigeria’s electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it has commenced investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the liking of a post criticising the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, with its verified Twitter account.
INEC also said it will take appropriate disciplinary actions if an infraction is established after the probe.
“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 said in a statement on Thursday.
It added, “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.”
INEC’s verified account on Twitter liked a post in which the son of a late music icon Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Seun Kuti criticised Obi.
Many users of the social media giant took a swipe at the commission for being sentimental, ahead of the February 25 presidential election.
The commission’s account subsequently unliked the post and INEC issued a statement, assuring Nigerians of its neutrality, stating that it will conduct a general election that is free and fair to all.
