The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has come under heavy criticism for identifying with a post that criticised the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, on Twitter.
The official verified INEC Twitter handle on Tuesday liked a post against Obi who is one of the top contenders in the February 25th election.
To like a post on social media implies that you agree with the post or approve of it.
The post liked by INEC was made by an online newspaper, Premium Times with the headline, “Peter Obi: An opportunist won’t deliver Nigeria—Seun Kuti.”
Seun Kuti, is the son of legendary Nigerian music icon, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.
The Commission has, however, disliked the post following the outrage on Twitter.
INEC spokesman confirmed to Peoples Gazzette that the like was an error.
Before the post was disliked by the commission, a member of the ‘ObiDatti’ Presidential Campaign Council, FS Yusuf, threatened to sue the Commission. He said:
- “Dear @inecnigeria why is your handler liking this tweet where Peter Obi is attacked? What is this nonsense? Are we a joke to the commission? Don’t set this nation aflame. @inecnigeria this is a warning! We need to sue INEC for this misbehaviour!”
Describing Obi as a capitalist Seun Kuti said, “He hasn’t had the time because he started too late. You can’t be telling me that just because you lost PDP primaries 18 months before the election, you suddenly started a movement, and you have a plan for the country.
“No, that’s opportunism. And it’s not an opportunist that will deliver Nigeria—not jumping on Labour Party. The Labour Party has a socialist structure. Peter Obi is a capitalist. Where are they going?”
Nigerians react
@exquisiteOG wrote: “and @inecnigeria liked a post where @PeterObi was called an opportunist. What a shame! What a country!”
@BishopPOEvang said, “If we talk them go say we dey lie. See what INEC is liking. A whole so called independent body that conducts elections. @inecnigeria you can’t make us lose this election. We won’t allow you.”
@Orji_Okosisi1 said: “Why would INEC like this post, calling Obi “an opportunist?” Are you sure INEC would deliver free, fair, and credible elections in the following weeks?”
@Urchilla01 said, “Fellow Nigerians, wouldn’t it be nice to demand an explanation from @inecnigeria for why they liked a post that is biased against H.E. Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the LP for an election where @inecnigeria is supposed to be an unbiased umpire?”
@JaypeeGeneral wrote, “@inecnigeria @ineclagos is not hiding their partisanship. From planning to use Tinubu’s MC Oluomo for Lagos logistics to liking a tweet that calls Peter Obi an opportunist. Also, remember how Lagos REC called the Igbos migrants. Obidients, this election is between us and INEC.
@Dr_chazduke wrote, “@INECNigeria’s Twitter account handle liked a story criticizing the Presidential candidate of LP Mr Peter Obi. Who is in charge of INEC’s social media accounts, is INEC IT compromised 🤔”
@ObiDientTvHQ wrote: “INEC has a case to answer on this matter. We can’t take this lightly. The @inecnigeria handle was seen liking a post on Twitter where @PeterObi was called an opportunist. This wasn’t some random mistake. It is one too many. It further shows INEC’s bias in this election.”
@VictorIsrael_ tweeted, “Nigerians please can we make this post go viral? We need to ask Questions why @inecnigeria would like a tweet that is targeted at demarketing Peter Obi? We thought INEC should be neutral? Why are they taking a side? Please help me RETWEET this. We need answers.”
Ifunanya Ikueze is an Engineer, Safety Professional, Writer, Investor, Entrepreneur and Educator.
