Igho Akpoduado I Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023
OWERRI, Imo, Nigeria – It appears that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC is not yet ready to redeem its battered image, following trends of pre-recorded result sheets found on adhoc staff of the agency in the off-circle elections held today.
Vigilant electorates spotted pre-recorded result sheets with INEC officials even before commencement of election in Imo and Kogi State.
In Kogi State pre-recorded result sheets were found on INEC staff at Open Space Okesi Ogori II in Polling Unit 002 and Open Space Ogori IV, Polling Unit 004 and in PU 020, Eika/Ohizenyi, Okehi LGA of Kogi state before commencement of voting.
This same unpatriotic venture showed its ugly head in Imo State. In Orsu LGA in Imo West, INEC officials were captured on camera in an open field manufacturing votes and uploading results. This is in addition to prerecorded results found on INEC officials in the state.
Special Adviser to the Imo State Governor, Chinasa Nwaneri stormed one of the polling units in an amoured vehicle, with Inspector Chika often known as Kill and Burry, who went ahead to disarm the armed member of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC officials on duty.
He practically removed the magazine from the armed officer to prevent him from foiling his plot. Another police officer who snatched ballot box in one of the polling units was beaten by irate youths.
“Chinasa Nwaneri was inside Armored Tank, he ordered a Nigerian Inspector of Police known as “Kill and Bury” to destroy voting process”, Leader of NCSDC, Policarp Ekwere said. He said it is unfortunate that policemen that are expected to be neutral have become partisan in elections.
Reacting to the development, one concerned Nigerian said, INEC is no doubt a compromised institution that needs to be reformed or else they will spark up a violent protest that the security and armed forces might not be able to handle. “How can INEC officials resume at polling centers with results even before voting commenced?”, he queried.
Sarah Ibrahim said, how can a Commission meant to supervise election be chosen and inputted by a Political Party? The position of INEC Chairman should be an election and not a pick up process by APC.
“Mahmood Yakubu can never die a good death. APC can never allow any election hold in Nigeria and Nigerians should not allow them get away with any of it. Why are election result sheets ready with INEC staff in Kogi when election has not even begun?”, he said.
Pius Osuinde said, it’s really shameful, “not at this time of our democracy. “What will be INEC’s excuse now for poor performance in just three states’ elections? Every elections seem worse than the previous, what a sad commentary”, he said.
According to him, “Yakubu can never ensure free and fair election in Nigeria and the mandate bandit he put in Aso Rock will never allow any election hold in Nigeria. Why do we have election results when elections have not even been done? Yeye Bello is really desperate to rig Nigerians out of their votes”, he said.
Publisher and former Presidential aspirant, Dele Momoudu summerised the situation this way. “Such a shame that INEC is still experiencing the level electoral malfeasance and violence. Election in just three states of our federation is truly disgusting, disturbing, disconcerting and extremely embarrassing, to say the least… It seems only God can rescue Nigeria at this stage”, he said.
Meanwhile, INEC said it has received reports from our officials in Kogi State on incidences of electoral malpractices, particularly the incident of result sheets completed before voting.
“Reports indicate that the incidents occurred in Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi and Okene Local Government Areas. The most serious incidents occurred in Ogori/Magongo, affecting nine of 10 Registration Areas.
“This is entirely unacceptable. Any result not emanating from the Commission’s process in the Polling Units will not be accepted. The Commission is determined not to reward bad behaviour. Consequently, the election in the nine Wards in Ogori/Magongo LGA (Eni, Okibo, Okesi, Ileteju, Aiyeromi, Ugugu, Obinoyin, Obatgben and Oturu) is at this moment suspended.
“The incidences in the other Local Government Areas are being thoroughly investigated, and the outcome, including the way forward, will be announced in the next 24 hours”, INEC said, without alluding to the same thing that occurred in Imo State.
“Meanwhile, as the processes continue, we follow the audit trail of personnel and materials to ascertain those who may have been complicit in undermining the process. We have a record of all officials deployed at various levels as supervisors, monitors, technical staff or polling unit officials and all election materials issued to them.
“Appropriate sanctions will be applied where necessary. The Commission assures voters in Kogi State that their votes are protected, and their wishes will be respected”, Mohammed Kudu Haruna National Commissioner & Member Information and Voter Education Committee said in the statement.
