Buffeted by allegations of partiality, the INEC on Wednesday, said it had launched investigation into how the anti-Peter Obi Twitter message came to be liked on its own official handle, threatening to sanction whoever was responsible.
A groundswell of shock beclouded Nigerians after the commission on Wednesday, when it emerged that INEC’s official Twitter account liked a post in which Seun Kuti, son of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, criticised Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), describing him as “an opportunist that can’t deliver Nigeria.”
Apparently scandalised by the situation, the commission, in a quick riposte, said it had no preferred candidate, adding that it had begun investigation into the matter and would take disciplinary actions if needed, against those involved, as its allegiance was to Nigeria and not any candidate in any election.
It said in a statement: “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 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.”
