Scores of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members yesterday protested the declaration of All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates as winners of the chairmanship and councillorship seats in Saturday’s local government elections by the state Independent Electoral Commission (KWSIEC).
They alleged that the result announced by KWSIEC was fake.
The PDP members marched on the office of KWSIEC at Fate, Ilorin.
They carried placards, condemning KWSIEC for being partial in the poll.
Some of the placards read: ‘Kwara people say no to continuation of bad governance led by APC’, ‘LG election results declared by KWASIEC is fake’, ‘Govt, KWASIEC change the results of the election in favour of APC’, ‘KWASIEC rob PDP in Kwara LG elections.’
Speaking with reporters, Hajia Sarat Adebayo, a former commissioner in the state, who led the protest, accused KWSIEC of forging the results of Saturday’s local government elections.
She said: “PDP won the chairmanship election in the 16 local governments of the state, but the result was falsely awarded to APC by KWSIEC.
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“KWSIEC, in collaboration with the state government and APC, changed and stole the votes of the people of Kwara State.
“Although PDP is not happy with the process of the election, we are peace-loving people. KWASIEC should do the needful.’’
Adebayo appealed to KWSIEC chairman to declare the true results of the election cast by the people and declare PDP candidates as winners of the elections.
Also in Offa, Offa Local Government, PDP chairmanship and councillorship candidates kicked against the result, saying election did not take place in the town.
Addressing reporters, a PDP chairmanship candidate, Salahudeen Lukman, rejected the declaration of APC candidates as the winners of the election “in an election that did not take place.’’
He said: “It is inconceivable that KWSIEC in broad daylight will attempt to declare a winner in an election marred by irregularities, with no votes cast, counted or announced in Offa. Such action undermines the principles of democracy and the rule of law, which are the bedrock of our society.
“Should there be breakdown of law and order in Offa as a result of this injustice, Governor AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq must be held accountable.
“To maintain peace and ensure credibility of our democratic process, we demand the immediate rescheduling of Offa Local Government election.”
But the APC in the local government countered, saying election took place.
Special Adviser to Governor AbdulRazaq on Political Matters, an indigene of the town, Femi Agbaje, said election was conducted in the town, adding that those interested exercised their franchise.
“Traditionally, Offa is an APC town. Therefore the people will not be so docile and vote for another party.
“Ab initio, PDP did not want the election to hold. That was why it went to court seeking stoppage of the election,” he said.
Corroborating Agbaje, the APC chairman-elect, Sulaiman Olatunji, said PDP was not prepared for the poll. ‘’APC prepared for the election and we won.’’
He added: “The election was free, fair and transparent. PDP is lying and it is trying to cover its lies.”