Reuben Abati, a former presidential aide and television host, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to clarify why the Edo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jarret Tenebe, acted as an official election observer during the recent Ekiti State gubernatorial poll. Reports surfaced after video footage showed Tenebe wearing an INEC-branded vest typically reserved for accredited observers.
This incident has triggered widespread public criticism, with some citizens alleging that the commission favored the ruling party. Speaking on Arise TV, Abati emphasized that observers are mandated to remain non-partisan and neutral, noting that such roles are usually fulfilled by representatives from civil society organizations. He questioned the legitimacy of Tenebe’s accreditation and demanded to know how a high-ranking political official secured the status of a neutral monitor, stating that the electoral body must address these concerns to maintain transparency.
