By The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is investigating the circumstances surrounding its Twitter account liking a post relating to a presidential candidate.
The Commission came under a barrage of knocks for identifying with a post that criticised the candidacy of Labour Party presidential flag bearer, Peter Obi, on Twitter. INEC’s Twitter handle, which is a source of electoral news and updates for Nigerians liked a tweet calling Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate for the Labour Party an “ opportunist”.
But the commission, in a statement reacting to the incident, maintained its neutrality and said it has no preferred candidate.
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.”
The tweet that INEC liked was a story published by an online newspaper, Premium Times, with the headline: “Peter Obi: An opportunist won’t deliver Nigeria—Seun Kuti.”
