Muritala Ajaka, the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kogi State, has criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for allegedly manipulating the state’s gubernatorial election.
Ajaka, who is seeking to topple the state’s All Progressives Congress (APC), made a statement on Sunday on Channels Television’s “The Verdict programme for the off-cycle governorship elections,” according to Anaedoonline.ng.
He said that INEC had compromised the exercise by sending officials to the state.
According to Akaja, the party had proof that result sheets had been completed before the poll started, and regrettably, that is how things turned out.
Additionally, the SDP candidate expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for ensuring sufficient security throughout the election.
He said, “INEC disappointed all of us. Check from the results. Just like the last man [on the show] was complaining, INEC gave us the impression that everything was going to work perfectly but it turned out the other way.
“I want to believe the team that was sent to the state were the ones that compromised. Before the commencement of the election, the results sheets were already out everywhere in the whole of Kogi Central.
“Of course, we have written to them and have evidence. It is just unfortunate that these things happened this way.
APC Leading By Over 200 Thousand Votes As INEC Adjourns Collation Of Remaining Three Kogi LGAs
“If we had known we were going into a jungle, we would have prepared for a jungle arrangement. The Federal Government has done its own part. We must give kudos to President Ahmed Bola Tinubu. He provided security for everybody.
“INEC too, the arrangement from and before the commencement of the exercise, everything was all right. But the officials of the INEC – sent to Kogi state – were the ones that compromised. They gave the result sheets to Yahaya Bello. Results were written before the election.”
After collating the results of 18 of the 21 local government areas, INEC announced that a supplemental election will be held on November 18 in 59 polling places throughout the state.
According to the results that have been released, Usman Ododo, the APC candidate, is ahead of the SDP candidate.
Follow us on Facebook
Post Disclaimer
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author and forum participants on this website do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Anaedo Online or official policies of the Anaedo Online.