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Tag: Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

  • Injured INEC official undergoes surgery

    •Decries commission’s inability to visit him

    An official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr. Ganiyu Ogundipe, who was injured by hoodlums at Ago Palace Way, Isolo, Lagos, last Saturday during the Presidential and National Assembly elections, has undergone surgery.

    It was carried out by an orthopaedic surgeon under anaesthesia, to fix his dislocated right shoulder.

    Ogundipe slipped while running for safety during the attack and dislocated the shoulder.

    The man, who is recuperating at TSH Medical Centre, Mushin, Lagos, will wait till September before his arm can heal.

    Thugs during the elections stormed polling units on Ago Palace Way and set ablaze cast ballot papers.

    The INEC official said nine hoodlums came on three motorcycles.

    Ogundipe, who worked as one of the Residential Area (RA) Technicians, said: “The hoodlums stoned and chased us away before setting ablaze the cast ballot papers and other materials.”

    Speaking with The Nation, he said he returned to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba after the surgery for another X-ray.

    The X-ray, he said, was to see if the operation carried out to correct the Humero-Scapula dislocation was okay.

    “The result of the X-ray showed that it was well carried out. Although the orthopaedic surgeon has re-fixed the bandage, we later discovered that my body is reacting to it (bandage), which means I’ll have to get another material as recommended by the surgeon. I’m now waiting for him to come around. He’s going to remove this and fix another one that my body can respond well to. This, I learnt, will aid the healing,” Ogundipe said.

    He said the bandage would be on him for three weeks.

    “I may not perform my duty during the governorship and house of assembly elections scheduled for March 9 because of the stress that may be involved.

    “The doctor said after removing the bandage, I shouldn’t overwork the hand, to allow the shoulder to be well fixed. He said it will take about four months for the arm to be firm so that I can use it for any work. After the first three weeks I will wait for about four months for it to be back to its normal position,” Ogundipe said.

    The attack, he said, left him disappointed, as he was serving his fatherland.

    “I feel disappointed about this incident. We were attacked during a national assignment. Now I’m not medically fit to perform my duty.” Ogundipe said.

    He lamented that the INEC chief in Lagos State has not visited him in hospital.

    Ogundipe said: “Although I learnt they attempted to come last Sunday. I’ve received a call from the state headquarters.  They felt sorry for what happened to me, but I think they can do better. They’re also humans who should understand the financial implication of the issue at hand and its urgency. Visiting me and taking up the hospital bills and other expenses will go a long way as a morale booster for me and other ad-hoc workers. I can’t work for the next six months. What will I use to take care of my family? This is why the INEC authority should be of assistance not only to me, but other ad-hoc workers injured during the elections. ”

    He said his family, relations and friends have been of assistance to him concerning the medical bills.

    TSH Medical Centre Medical Director Dr. Adeniyi Busari told The Nation that the X-ray showed that the induction was ok.

    “He will be in the position for three weeks and after three weeks, he will come back to hospital. He will undergo physiotherapy and gradually he will use the hand. The physiotherapy can take three months,” he said.

     

     

     

  • PDP demands cancellation of Presidential, NASS elections in Kwara

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara state on Thursday called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel the results of the last Saturday presidential and National Assembly election in the state.

    State chairman of PDP Engr. Kola Shittu said this in Ilorin, the state capital while addressing reporters on the outcome of the election.

    He said the party was ready to employ every legal means to redress what he termed manifest irregularities which he alleged characterized the elections across the state’s three senatorial districts.

    Read Also: Delta PDP petitions police over members’ death

    Shittu, who was flanked by other executive members of the party, said the elections were marred by electoral malpractices, malfunctioning of 90 percent of card readers, multiple voting as well as over- voting.

    He said: “We call on INEC to cancel the election because its outcome does not reflect the wishes of the people.

    “We also received report of how APC agents made use of unclaimed PVCs to vote at some polling units across the State particularity within Kwara Central.

    “Also, many of the local observers accredited by INEC to monitor the election were APC members.

    “Additionally, prior to the day of the election, the Federal

    Government backed APC made some retrogressive and undemocratic moves, using state apparatus to intimidate and arrest some of our members and supporters in some parts of the state.”

    Asked if the party was ready to approach the tribunal for reprieve, the PDP boss said once a political party announces its dissociation from an election result there are procedure for such party to pursue.

     

  • Peaceful polls victory for Nigeria, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday told Nigerians to see the peaceful conduct of the February 23  presidential election as a victory for the nation.

    Noting that an election should not be seen as a war, the President said the “victory is enough cause for joy without deriding those in the opposition now that election is over.”

    The President’s message was contained in his remarks at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja, after receiving the Certificate of Return as the president-elect from the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu.

    Buhari’s deputy and running mate Prof Yemi Osinbajo also got the Certificate of Return as vice president-elect.

    Besides, the President urged Nigerians to stand in brotherhood for a bright and fulfilling future, assuring that his administration will be inclusive and open.

    Buhari, whose second term in office will begin on May 29,  also assured Nigerians of seeing the country moving to the “Next Level”.

    The ICC, which was being used as the Collation Office for the presidential election, also hosted governors, ministers, members of the private sector and supporters of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    The President also reached out to his opponents at the poll, urging them to join him to build the country that will be a pride to all.

    He said: “I am grateful to God for sparing our lives to witness another milestone in Nigeria’s democratic development,  namely conclusion of the presidential election in an overwhelmingly peaceful manner.

    “I wish, Mr Chairman, to congratulate all the presidential candidates and their teams on a hard-fought campaign. We may have had different views during the campaign, but the one thing most of us have in common is love of our country and our desire to improve conditions for Nigerians.

    “From the comments of several observers both local and foreign, it is obvious that the elections were both free and fair.

    “Now that the elections are over, and a winner declared, we must all see it as a victory for Nigeria, our dear country. That was why I encouraged my teeming supporters, in a speech I read earlier today, not to gloat.

    “Our God-given victory is enough cause for joy, without deriding those who were in the opposition.  All Nigerians, going forward, must stand in brotherhood, for a bright and fulfilling future.

    “I, therefore, want to assure that we will continue to engage all parties that have the best interest of Nigerians at heart. Our government will remain inclusive and our doors will remain open.

    “That is the way to build the country of our dream; safe, secure, prosperous and free of impunity and primitive accumulation by those entrusted with public offices.

    “The hard work to deliver a better Nigeria continues, building on the foundations of peace, rule of law and opportunities for all. We will roll up our sleeves afresh, and give it our all. We have no other motive than to serve Nigeria with our hearts and might, and build a nation which we and generations to come can be proud of.

    “I am very grateful to the over 15 million citizens who voted for me, those who contributed in many ways in the running of our successful campaign, and those at home and abroad who expressed confidence in me and the APC government. I thank you all.

    “I can assure that you will see a country moving to the Next Level, as we consolidate on our fundamental areas of securing the country, reviving the economy, and fighting corruption. Many other focal areas, as stated in our campaign manual, will be added, to the good things we plan for our country.

    “Let me pay tribute here to those who lost their lives either through accidents or mindless violence during the course of these elections. My heart and thoughts are with the families of the victims. May God comfort and give them the fortitude to bear the loss.

    “Election is not war, and should never be seen as a do or die affair. I pray that we all accept this democratic approach to elections, however contentious.”

    Buhari and Osinbajo were declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at exactly 4.39am yesterday, having scored the highest number of votes, 15,191,847.

    They defeated their closest rivals – former Vice President Abubakar Atiku and his running mate, former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, who polled 11,262,978.

    The PDP and its candidate have resolved to contest the results at the tribunal.

    Buhari and Osinbajo arrived at the ICC in the company of their spouses, Hajia Aisha and Dolapo at 2:11pm.

    They got the Certificates of Return from the INEC boss at about 2:20pm.

    In a short remark, Prof Yakubu described the presentation of the certificates as a statutory requirement based on the Electoral Act which requires winners of elections to be given their certificate of return within seven days.

    The vice president, decked in a white native attire, was all smiles as praise singers sang “Oke Oke la oma lo” (meaning we will always make progress).

    The praise singers changed the tune to Sai Baba when it was the turn of the president to receive his certificate.

  • Unbundle INEC now, revisit Uwais Report, NGO advises FG

    Kogi Non-Governmental Organisations Network (KONGONET) chairman,  Mr Victor Adejoh, on Wednesday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to use his second tenure to reorganise and unbundle the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Adejoh told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lokoja that the call was necessary against the backdrop of multi-tasking structure of the commission resulting in periodic logistic lapses at election periods.

    He said that the commission, as presently constituted, had too many tasks on hand ranging from voter registration, monitoring of political activities to printing of materials and conducting elections.

    The KONGONET chairman said there was need for establishment of other commissions to perform those different tasks in such manner that they would ensure effectiveness and efficiency, leaving INEC to function optimally with fewer tasks.

    Adejoh, who congratulated the President on his re-election, urged him to revisit and implement the Justice Mohammed Uwais Report on the reform of INEC with a view to implementing it.

    He said the report proffered solutions to many of the challenges confronting the nation’s electoral system.

    “We encourage the government to revisit the Uwais Report and see how it can improve on the engagement of INEC and different critical stakeholders to deliver on free and fair election.”

    Adejoh said the lapses which culminated in postponement of the Presidential/National Assembly Elections and the Governorship/State Assembly Elections earlier scheduled for Feb. 16, were avoidable if the commission had less tasks.

    He called on various state governors to allow level-play ground in the upcoming March 9, Governorship/State Assembly Elections and avoid use of security and state apparatus to intimidate opposition parties and their candidates.

    “At the state level, we should see to it that in the coming elections, state governments do not exploit security and state apparatus to intimidate opposition parties and their candidates.

    “Largely, we sue for peace in the country and we encourage everyone involved in the electoral process who is agitated to use justice institutions (the courts) and avoid violence that usually characterise post-election crisis.”  (NAN)

  • Obasanjo keeps mum over Buhari’s reelection

    As congratulatory messages continued to pour in from within and outside the country over the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari, former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has kept mum over the development.

    The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, in the early hours of Wednesday declared Buhari winner of the Saturday’s presidential polls.

    Prominent and well-meaning Nigerians as well as international leaders have since been commending and congratulating Buhari over his victory in the election, widely adjudged as peaceful and credible.

    Obasanjo, who had been quite vocal in the build-p to the election has, however, appears to have suddenly gone into hiding by keeping silent since the result was announced.

    Telephone calls made to Obasanjo’s Media Aide, Mr Kehinde Akinyemi, by the correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) were not picked while text messages sent to him for reaction were neither acknowledged nor replied.

    Read Also: Obasanjo casts vote in Abeokuta

    NAN recalls that Obasanjo, had severally castigated Buhari, and openly campaigned against him few months to the election.

    The former president also endorsed and adopted Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the major opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), whom he had once accused and condemned over corruption claims.

    He had also told Nigerians that God would not forgive him (Obasanjo) if he ever supported Atiku to be president.

    He, however, later changed political gear to ensure that Buhari was not re-elected.

    The presidency has however repeatedly asked Nigerians to ignore Mr Obasanjo, saying Mr Buhari’s performance in office was enough to earn him re-election.

    From the results announced by INEC, Buhari had defeated Atiku in Obasanjo’s polling unit in Abeokuta and also scored a total of 15,191,847 to defeat Atiku, his closest rival who scored 11,262,978 votes.

    NAN

  • Video: Buhari’s reaction after INEC declared him re-elected

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday was declared winner of the 2019 Presidential election by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The Returning Officer for the 2019 presidential elections, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made the declaration at exadtly 4:37am.

    He polled 15,191,847 votes to defeat his closest rival, former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the presidential poll conducted on February 23 who had 11,262,978 votes.

    Buhari in a video posted by Bashir Ahmad, his personal assistant on new media, the president was seen seating calmly while the INEC chairman announced him the winner.

  • Update: Buhari re-elected as President of Nigeria

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared President Muhammadu Buhari, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the 2019 presidential election, held on Saturday Feb. 23.

    The Returning Officer for the 2019 presidential elections, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made the declaration at 4.37am.

    He polled 15,191,847 votes to defeat his closest rival, former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the presidential poll conducted on February 23 who had 11,262,978 votes.

    The INEC chairmain said: “That Muhammadu Buhari, having scored the highest number of votes and satisfied the provision of the electoral act is hereby declared the winner of the presidential election.’’

    Read also: 2019 Presidential Results

    He announced that certificate of return will be issued to the President-elect and Vice President-elect by 2 pm on Wednesday.

    Monday’s collation opened with Niger State, which went to the APC with 612,371 votes. PDP scored 218, 052.

    There were 2,375,568 registered voters across the 15 local government areas of the state and 911, 964  voters were accredited. The state recorded a total vote of 896,976 and 851,937 valid votes. Forty-five votes were rejected; 71,200 were cancelled.

    In Jigawa State, Buhari scored 794,738 as against Atiku’s 289, 895 votes.

    Read also: Buhari tops with 15.19m

    With 27 local government areas, Jigawa had 2,104,889 registered voters; 1,171,801 were accredited to vote; 1,149,922 voted. Of the votes, 1,106,244 were valid and 43, 678 were rejected.

    The APC candidate also won in Kaduna State with 993,445 votes as against PDP’s 640, 612.

    Atiku fought back in Anambra State, garnering 524,738 votes as against APC’s 33,298.

    He won with a slim margin in Oyo State where the PDP polled 366,690 as against APC’s 365,229.

    Atiku’s home state, Adamawa, gave the PDP 410,266 votes.  Buhari got 378,078.

    The 21 council areas in Adamawa had 1,959,322 registered voters; 874,920 voters were accredited. There were 811,534 valid votes; 49,222 were rejected.

    The President won in Bauchi with 798,428 votes. Atiku scored 209,313. Valid votes were 1,024, 307; 37,648 were rejected. Votes cast stood at 1,061, 955

    The APC beat the PDP in Lagos State with 580,825 votes; PDP scored  448,015.

    The ruling party also secured victory for his candidate in Ogun State where it scored 281,762 as against PDP’s 194, 655.  The registered number of voters in the Gateway State was 2,336,887; 613,399 were accredited and 605,938 voted.

    Edo State, with 18 local government areas and 2,150,127 registered voters, went to Atiku with 275, 691 votes. Buhari scored 267,842 votes.

    For the poll, 604,915 were accredited. There were 560,711 valid votes. The rejected ballot stood at 38, 517, leaving the total vote cast at 599, 228.

    The number of votes that were cancelled in 48 polling units stood at 42,176.

    In Benue State, PDP got a narrow victory margin over the ruling party with 356,817 votes as against APC’s 347,668.

    Edo, with a voter population of 2, 391,276, has a total vote cast of 763,872. The valid votes were 728,912. The rejected votes were 34,960 and 122,989 votes were cancelled in 172 polling units.

    Atiku won Imo State with 334,923 votes as against Buhari’s 140,463 votes.

    There were 2,037,569 registered would-be voters; 585,741 were accredited to vote. The valid votes were 511,586 and 31,191 votes were rejected. The number of votes cast stood at 542,777; 63,048 were cancelled in 97 polling units in 12 council areas.

    Plateau State also gave its vote to Atiku who scored 548,665. Buhari scored 468,555.

    The state had 2,423, 381 registered voters and 1,074,042 were accredited.

    The valid votes were 1,034,853 of which 1,063,862 voted. The number of rejected votes stood at 28,009.

    Kano went to Buhari who scored 1,464,768 against Atiku’s 392,593.

    The Northwest state, where 5,381,581 were registered to vote, recorded the highest turnout with 2,006,410 accredited voters.

    The votes cast were 1,964,751. The valid votes were 1,891,134. The rejected votes were 73,617 and the cancelled votes were 43,900, across 69 polling units.

    Katsina, Buhari’s home state, also went the way of Buhari, who scored 1,232,133 against Atiku’s 308,056.

    It has 3,219,422 registered voters and 1,628,865 were accredited for the election.

    The total valid votes in Katsina is 1,555,473 and 1,619,185 cast their ballots.

    The rejected votes were 63,712 and the cancelled votes stood at 12,027.

    Taraba went to the PDP with 374,743 votes as against APC’s 326 996 votes.

    The total registered votes were 1,777,105. The accredited voters stood at 756 111.

    The valid votes were 712 877 and 28,687 were rejected.

    THE FINAL SCORES

    STATES                 APC       PDP

    Abia                     85,058      219,698

    Adamawa          378,078      410,266

    Akwa Ibom         175,429     395,832

    Anambra             33,298      524,738

    Bauchi                798,428      209,313

    Bayelsa               118,821      197,933

    Benue                 347,668      356,817

    Borno                  836,496        71,788

    Cross River        117,302      295,737

    Delta                   221,292      594,068

    Ebonyi                  90,726      258,573

    Edo                     267,842      275,691

    Ekiti                    219,231      154,032

    Enugu                   54,423      355,553

    Gombe                402,961      138,484

    Imo                   140,463        334,923

    Jigawa                794,738      289,895

    Kaduna              993,445      649,612

    Kano                1,464,768      391,593

    Katsina           1,232,133      308,056

    Kebbi                  581,552      154,282

    Kogi                    285,894      218,207

    Kwara                308,984      138,184

    Lagos                  580,825      448,015

    Nasarawa          289,903      283,847

    Niger                  612,371      218,052

    Ogun                  281,762      194,655

    Ondo                  241,769      275,901

    Osun                   347,634      337,377

    Oyo                     365,229      366,690

    Plateau               468,555      548,665

    Rivers                 150,710      473,971

    Sokoto                490,333      361,604

    Taraba                324,906      374,743

    Yobe                   497,914        50,763

    Zamfara             438,682      125,423

    FCT                    152,224      259,997

    TOTAL:        15,191,847  11,262,978

  • 30 parties demand fresh elections in Bayelsa

    Thirty political parties under the auspices of Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) yesterday called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct fresh elections in Southern Ijaw and Nembe local government areas of Bayelsa State.

    CUPP lamented that there was no elections in most wards in the affected local governments alleging that its candidates for the elections could not cast their votes following hijack of materials and violence.

    The party chairmen and candidates, who spoke in Yenagoa, the state capital, alleged that elections failed to hold in wards 4, 14, 15 and 16 in Southern Ijaw as well as all the seven wards in Nembe Bassambiri.

    The Chairman of CUPP, Tare Edwin, condemned the abduction of INEC officials and materials meant for the seven wards in Bassambiri and death of some persons in the area.

    Describing the incidents as most unfortunate, sad and unacceptable, he claimed that the incidents were masterminded by opposition leaders and INEC in connivance with security operative.

    Insisting that a similar development occurred in Southern Ijaw, h said it was shameful that such actions occurred despite the riot act of President Muhammadu Buhari against ballot box snatchers.

    He said in Agbere, Sagbama Local Government Area, opposition party leaders in the company of security operatives catered away all electoral materials.

    Edwin said: “There was shooting and the ensuing violence resulted in many casualties. There was no election. In Southern Ijaw Ward 2, deaths were recorded including one Seidougha Taribi, who was shot dead.

    “We demand fresh elections to be conducted in all these areas affected and call on INEC not to accept any results from the affected areas”.

    Also speaking the state Chairman of Labour Party, Ebiowei Numofe, said violence including sustained gunfire marred elections in the two local government areas adding that there was no voting in the affected areas.

    “This was due to sustained gunfire throughout the night of February 22 and the morning of the Election day. There was widespread intimidation and hijacking of electoral materials meant for the said wards.

    “Election materials were brazenly and taken to a hotel in Nembe-Bassambiri were thumb-printing of the materials were arranged by men suspected to be agents of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “We demand the rescheduling of the elections in those wards or cancellation of any purported results there as they would be products of gross rigging, amde intimidation and bloodshed”.

     

  • Buhari wins by landslide in Borno

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday announced the official result of last Saturday’s presidential election in Borno State with President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winning by a landslide.

    The state’s Returning Officer (RO) for the presidential poll, Prof. Saminu Ibrahim of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, announced the results at the collation centre of Kashim Ibrahim Collage of Education in Maiduguri, the state capital.

    Read also: Court remands UNILAG students for allegedly raping 17-year-old

    He said President Buhari scored 836,496 votes over his closest rival, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who got 71,788 votes. A summary of the results is as follows:

    APC’s Buhari = 836,496

    PDP’s Atiku  = 71,788

    Total valid votes for Borno = 919,783

    Total rejected votes for Borno = 35,419

    Total votes cast for Borno = 955,202

     

  • Ogun East senatorial candidate petitions INEC

    The Ogun East Senatorial Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Engr. Adeola Sosanwo has written a petition to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) alleging attempts “by some unscrupulous elements within the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Abeokuta, Ogun State, to subvert the will of the people” warning of the consequences on law and public order.

    Sosanwo contested the election with Senator Lekan Mustapha of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    While Mustapha garnered 84, 924 votes to be in the lead, Sosanwo got 82,457 votes, trailing with 2,472 votes.

    In a letter dated 25th February, 2019, and addressed to the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ogun State and copied to the Commission’s Chairman, the Commissioner of Police and Director of the State Security Service (SSS), Sosanwo said since the Returning Officer for the Senatorial election held on the 23rd of February, 2019 had declared the election inconclusive, the proper thing to do is to hold election in the disputed polling booths and ward.

    The petition reads in part, “As you are well aware, on Saturday, the 23rd of February, 2019, the Presidential and National Assembly elections were held across the country. I contested in the election as the PDP candidate for Ogun East Senatorial District. The senatorial district is made up of nine (9) local government areas, among which is Ijebu East Local Government Area.

    “As the election got underway, issues arose in one out of the eleven (11) wards that make up Ijebu East Local Government Area. The ward is known as Ajebandele Ward. The said ward has ten (10) polling booths; out of which seven (7) polling booths returned over-voting. This eventually led to altering and mutilation of the result sheets.

    “Following the protestations of the agents and representatives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that the results of seven (7) out of ten (10) polling booths in the ward had been mutilated, upon getting to the Local Government Collation Centre in Ogbere, the Electoral Officer (EO) in the local government, one Mrs Osifeso announced that the results of the entire ward would be cancelled and consequently declared them cancelled.

    “At the Federal Constituency Collation Centre, St. Mary Primary School, Ijebu-Mushin, Dr. Dairo of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) said since the PDP House of Representatives candidate led the first runner up who is APC’s candidate with 6,994 votes as opposed to the 13,000 registered voters in the Ajebandele ward where the election results were cancelled, the PDP candidate could not be declared the winner of the election.

    “From there, Dr. Dairo took his report and the results to the Ogun East Senatorial District Collation Centre at Itoro, Ijebu-Ode and submitted them to the Returning Officer for the Senatorial District, Prof. Chris Nwoka, who, also publicly declared the election in Ogun East Senatorial District inconclusive because of the same reason before the media and the whole world.

    “In the extant case of Ogun East Senatorial District, the margin between me and the candidate of the APC is 2,472 votes whereas the number of registered voters in the cancelled Ajebandele ward is in excess of 13,000!

    Since the Electoral Officer and Returning Officers at the Federal Constituency Collation and Senatorial District Collation Centres have declared the election inconclusive, the only option left for the Commission is to fix a date for a rerun in the affected ward and hold same.

    “Neither the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) nor any other official of INEC has the powers to declare the results of cancelled or inconclusive elections and return a candidate as winner.

    “ I say this without any equivocation because in the build-up to the 2019 General Elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) issued regulations and guidelines set to guide the conduct of elections into the various elective offices pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999(as amended)and the Electoral Act 2010(as amended).”

    The candidate contended that the Returning Officer for the Senatorial District was the only one vested with the powers to declare return of an election or declare same inconclusive.

    “In the instant scenario, the INEC guidelines make clear provisions in respect of the collation and declaration of Senatorial District Election Result at State Level and also on when such an Election will be declared inconclusive.

    “The guideline clearly vests the power to return a candidate as the winner of a Senatorial District Election Result in the Senatorial District Collation/Returning Officer for the Senatorial District Election.

    “In the case of the Ogun East Senatorial District, the margin of lead between the two leading candidate is under 2,500 while elections were cancelled in Ajebandele ward with over 13,000 registered voters!”

    Sosanwo urged the Commission to follow its own guidelines and the law in its handling of the situation, “no matter the pressure or whose ox is gored.”

    “It is in the light of the foregoing that I wish to respectfully urge you to use your good offices to ensure that nothing untoward and illegal is done by the Commission or any of its officials .”