Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River says the ruling All Progressives Congress and other political parties have mutual trust in INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu ahead of the 2023 general polls as he urged the electoral body to conduct free, fair and credible elections.

“Never before have we had an INEC chairman who has enjoyed the mutual trust from both the ruling party and the opposition parties. This is one chairman who has conducted his elections, and results returned based on what is on the ground,” the Cross River governor pointed out.

He added, “He is not subject to any inducement. He is subject to the God that he serves, and l want to say that his name would go down in history as one of the very best INEC chairmen that we have ever had. God bless him, and God will continue to sustain him.”

The governor stated this on Wednesday in Calabar when he received the new resident electoral commissioner in the state, Alalibo Johnson. He assured INEC of a peaceful atmosphere before and during the 2023 general elections in Cross River.

Mr Ayade noted that given the new REC’s track records and integrity, he had no doubt he would deliver. 

“On behalf of the good people of Cross River State, l hereby give you that commitment that we will guarantee you free and safe elections. We also call on the INEC to please honour its pledge too so that we can have free, fair, credible, reliable and dependable elections,” the governor explained.

He promised that the government “is not going to in any way influence your process, but we want to say that we are available and willing to support you at all times that INEC will so require our services.”

(NAN)