Political activist and human rights campaigner, Aisha Yesufu, has alleged that officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were bribed to facilitate the removal of the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Yesufu made the allegation on Monday during a live interview on Prime Time, a program on Arise Television, where she also claimed that the INEC Chairman was allegedly threatened into taking the decision.
Her remarks come amid the recent action by INEC, which saw former Senate President David Mark removed as national chairman of the ADC.
Airing her concerns, Yesufu said, “There are reports that INEC officials were allegedly bribed with monies up to $50,000, and lands were given. Where is the EFCC and ICPC in all of this?”
She further criticized the role of the judiciary, stating, “The judiciary has turned itself into the pawn of corrupt politicians. And that’s not what it should be. You’re having places where houses are being built for them, where all sorts of meetings are going on.”
The BringBackOurGirls co-convener stressed the need for institutional independence and accountability, warning against political interference.
“My thinking is that one institution should be independent… If there is independence, if there’s accountability, and transparency, we don’t have all of these shenanigans going on,” she said.
Yesufu also expressed concern over what she described as the use of state institutions to suppress opposition voices.
“When you see the institutions, and also the judiciary, have turned themselves into weapons of oppression, willing tools of oppression against opposition parties, then that’s something that worries us and the democracy of our country,” she added.
She concluded by urging the protection of Nigeria’s democratic system, noting, “This democracy… many people died for it… and we cannot have a few people come and destroy it just because they want to hang on to power.
