The Pan-Igbo Youth Assembly, PIYA, umbrella body of all youth associations in Igbo-speaking areas of Nigeria, has given a seven-day ultimatum for the removal of Ken Nnamdi Ukeagu as the National Commissioner, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in charge of Imo, Anambra and Ebonyi, following what the group described as his alleged partisan practices within the Commission.
The group, in a release signed by its spokesperson, Noble Nkem Regius, after a press conference, stated that the growing controversy surrounding the INEC National Commissioner's alleged conduct and partisan activities has become too serious for INEC to deal with in administrative silence.
PIYA maintained that the credibility of elections is founded on public confidence in the neutrality of those entrusted with their conduct, claiming that allegations have repeatedly been made concerning Ukeagu.
It pointed out that where an electoral official is accused of compromising that neutrality, the responsible thing to do is to remove him from the sensitive assignment pending a thorough investigation.
The demand, according to the group, is not a call for persecution but a necessary attempt towards safeguarding democratic sanity.
The group alleged, "The revelations that Mr Ukeagu has been leaking sensitive INEC documents and confidential electoral information to politicians and opposition interests constitute an extremely serious matter.
"Electoral information is not the private property of any commissioner, political party or candidate. It belongs within the institutional safeguards of INEC.
"Any allegation that such information has been made available to partisan interests demands immediate action by the Commission. The security of electoral information is fundamental to the integrity of the entire electoral process.
What has made this situation even more troubling is the manner in which the demand for his redeployment by the Ohanaeze Youth Forum has been received," the release stated.
PIYA maintained that an attempt to drown legitimate questions raised through sponsored publications will not resolve the issue; rather, it will raise further questions about the interests being protected.
The group urged the INEC National Commissioner not to depend on a network of political defenders to establish his neutrality, but to willingly submit himself for proper interrogation.
"Across the South East, the political controversy surrounding Mr Ukeagu has become increasingly disturbing. Politicians and political interests opposed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's re-election have repeatedly invoked their association with the National Commissioner. This situation demands serious attention from INEC.
" An electoral umpire cannot afford to become a consultant or political reference point for competing partisan interests. Whether a politician supports or opposes the President is entirely within that politician's democratic rights. What is unacceptable is any perception that access to, or influence over, an electoral Commissioner is available to particular political interests," the release added.
The group averred that the continued controversy over Mr Ukeagu's neutrality is already creating an avoidable crisis of confidence.
"We therefore demand that the INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, immediately remove Dr Ken Nnamdi Ukeagu from responsibility for Imo, Anambra and Ebonyi States and initiate a comprehensive investigation into the allegations concerning his conduct. We are giving the Commission seven days from the presentation of this demand to act. It is sufficient for INEC to take an administrative decision that will reassure the people of the South East that their electoral interests are being protected.
"There is no justification for allowing this crisis to linger while preparations for the 2027 elections continue.
We also demand that INEC establish an independent process to investigate the alleged leakage of sensitive electoral documents and information, identify every individual involved, establish the extent of any unauthorised disclosure and make its findings public," the group insisted.
It added that if INEC fails to remove Mr Ukeagu within the stipulated period, the Igbo youths will mobilise millions across the South East for demonstrations and to occupy the commission's offices in the five South Eastern States until Ukeagu is removed.
"Our mobilisation will be lawful, disciplined and directed exclusively at demanding institutional accountability. We will not allow this matter to disappear through bureaucratic delay or political intimidation.
We call on the Presidency, the National Assembly, the Council of State, civil society organisations, traditional institutions, religious leaders and other stakeholders to prevail on INEC to act in the overriding interest of electoral credibility.
Alleged misconduct: Igbo youths demand removal of INEC commissioner for Imo, Anambra, Ebonyi