Posted by From MOSHOOD ADEBAYO, Abeokuta on
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday dismissed as flawed a report that its chairman, Professor Maurice Iwu lied under oath in his claim that the electoral body did not award contract for printing of ballot papers for the 2007 polls to any South African company.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday dismissed as flawed a report that its chairman, Professor Maurice Iwu lied under oath in his claim that the electoral body did not award contract for printing of ballot papers for the 2007 polls to any South African company.
A national newspaper (not Daily Sun) had reported on Thursday that its findings revealed that some of the ballot papers were actually printed in South Africa contrary to Iwu's claim in his affidavit to the 27 questions raised by the Action Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar before the election tribunal on the conduct of the polls.
Iwu was quoted by the newspaper to have said in April last year that INEC 'commissioned a company to print the ballot papers and on Thursday night, they finished them and we flew them into the country yesterday (Friday)."
But while speaking with journalists in Sokoto on Thursday, INEC National Commissioner, Information and Publicity, Mr Philip Umeadi, described the insinuation by the news report that Iwu lied as faulty.
According to Umeadi, "the issues that were raised in the queries were,whether INEC awarded the contracts to a South African firm, which the chairman made it clear that the commission did not award any contract. We stand by that and if you investigate it anywhere, you are going to find out that it is the truth that Iwu did not lie under oath."
The INEC commissioner explained further that all the contracts for printing of ballot papers, supplies and everything concerning the elections were awarded to indigenous firms.
He said it was the decision of Nigeria Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC) which was awarded the contract to decide where to print the ballot papers.
Umeadi spoke further: "I want to state categorically that all the contracts as regards the elections were awarded to indigenous firms. Now, awarding contracts to indigenous companies is one thing, if the firms sub- awarded the contract or give part of it externally, that is entirely their business.
"It does appear that what happened and we are actually aware that NSPMC printed part of the ballot papers in South Africa, but the contracts were awarded to them not to any South African company, thus the commission cannot dictate to NSPMC where to print or do their job."