Peter Obi, Jandor: 5 Shocking Accusations Against INEC 

The just concluded presidential and gubernatorial elections in Nigeria have generated a lot of controversy and accusations towards the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as a result of several irregularities during the elections.

The electoral process was linked with several issues such as violence, intimidation and  harassment. Some presidential and gubernatorial candidates accused the electoral umpire of the fairness of the electoral process which has sparked different debates across the country.

In this article, we would highlight five shocking accusations held against the electoral umpire after the elections.

INEC rigged and falsified results – Peter Obi

Peter Obi through the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council (LP-PCC) accused INEC of massive rigging and falsification of election results across the country against the Labour Party and in favour of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

Obi said he would prove to Nigerians in court that he won the election in the presidential poll and that the election was rigged and he would challenge the process. He further went to file a case against INEC and the presidential-elect alongside his team of lawyers.

INEC colluded with APC – Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour

Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party accused INEC of colluding with the ruling All Progressives Congress against his party while flaying the alleged irregularities observed during the presidential and National Assembly elections.

According to Gbadebo, the moment transmission of results did not happen from the polling units,the elections had been compromised. He called the act of INEC disgraceful as a result of the election marred with several irregularities, he believed was orchestrated by the electoral body.

INEC allocated 3000 votes to me in my LGA- Jandor

Olajide Adediran, the gubernatorial candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) popularly called Jandor ascribed the outcome of the Saturday’s gubernatorial election in the state in which he had 3000 votes in his Local Government Area (LGA) Ojo, as shocking and not a reflection of the party’s worth.

Jandor however vowed to pursue and fight the process to the end. He mentioned some flaws in the election such as voters’ suppression, intimidation, harassment, and violence as well as most of their agents chased from collation centres.

He lost his local government to Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered 30,797 votes, with Labour Party’s Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, coming second with 19,027.

INEC accused of not given access to inspect election materials – Peter Obi

Peter Obi stated that despite court orders, INEC has refused to grant him access to election materials and that INEC as a public institution, should be open to allow him challenge the process at which they arrived at declaring the winner of the election. He saw it as an act of judicial insubordination.

Recall that the court of appeal had earlier granted leave to Obi to have access to all the sensitive materials used by INEC for the election.

INEC in defence asked the court to vary the order, saying the bimodal voter accreditation system (BVAS) needs to be reprogrammed ahead of the governorship and state assembly polls.

However, the chairman of INEC later met with lawyers of the Labour Party saying that the commission has nothing to hide, assuring that the commission would make available any document the party requests. 

INEC delays election results in Abia and Enugu – Peter Obi

Peter Obi recently frowned at INEC over what he described as the continuous delay in releasing the governorship results of Abia and Enugu States.

INEC had earlier suspended the coalition of results in Abia over violence and the invasion of one of its offices in Abia.

Obi charged the electoral body to release the results immediately saying the further delay of announcement of results would delay the commission’s intent and credibility of the election. He asked the commission to fast track the review and quench the anxiety of Nigerians particularly citizens of the two states.