Electoral Heist
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Nigerian opposition call for the cancellation of the presidential elections after bogus results were presented as protests erupt nationwide
Nigerian opposition parties led by the Labour party (LP) have called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately cancel the ongoing election and collation of results at the National Collation Centre (NCC). This was made known at a press conference held in the country’s capital of Abuja.
The Labour Party in coalition with the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) said they like other Nigerians who voted were dismayed by the attitude of INEC officials in conducting the election. The National Labour Congress (NLC) also called for the cancellation of the presidential results to avoid chaos.
“The NLC once again warns that any election result that does not reflect the wishes of the people will not only spell doom for democracy but will also render the benefiting government of such heist illegitimate. Sustainable governments are built on sovereign will.” The workers warned.
“The reason is that such government is akin to a coup though not a military one but organised by civilian INEC against the fundamental rights and choices of the people as expressed through the ballot last Saturday.” It added.
“We monitored with dismay the travesty to democracy that was exhibited at the National Collation Centre of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). It is, to say the least, a rape on democracy. The conduct of the February 25, 2023 election has been marred by widespread violence, rigging, intimidation of voters, doctoring of the results, and violation of the laid down electoral process which was communicated by the national electoral body, INEC.” The Labour coalition said on its part.
“INEC had announced a process which would require the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for accreditation and voting and that all election results would be electronically transmitted from polling units to INEC Servers. The above process, published repeatedly, announced severally, and agreed with INEC by all political parties was not followed, thereby leaving room for manipulation of the results after Nigerians had voted.” The aggrieved parties said accusing the electoral body of tampering with the results in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)
“The results announced by INEC so far shows monumental disparities between the actual results reported by our Party agents, our party members, and indeed millions of Nigerians, on election day from the polling units.” The parties added saying the results presented at the NCC were misleading.
Refusal of INEC officials to use the Bio-modal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) to upload the results to the INEC central server contributed to voters questioning the integrity of the electoral process.
“INEC officials assigned to polling units could not do so. In some cases, they revealed that they had directives from their superiors to not upload the results.” The opposition said.
“There is ongoing extensive cancellation of results all over the country, especially in the areas of strength of opposition parties, to shore up the numbers of the APC. The total number of cancellations to date nationwide has in any event rendered the elections inconclusive.” The opposition stated claiming that INEC had cancelled results in opposition strongholds so that the APC could get the required 25% in 24 states including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to win.
“The People’s Democratic Party, the Labour Party, The ADC and other aligned parties shall not be part of the process currently going on at the National Collation Centre, and we demand that this sham of an election should be immediately cancelled.” It stressed.
The Opposition coalition and the NLC both called for fresh presidential elections and the removal of the INEC chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu.
Meanwhile peaceful protests have erupted nationwide.
Akowe with reports from Abuja
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