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• NBA cautions INEC
From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja and Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has frowned at the continued delay in releasing the governorship results of Abia and Enugu states.
The former Anambra State governor, in a statement, yesterday, expressed disappointment that 48 hours after the elections were conducted, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was yet to resolve whatever issues that forced it to hold back the release of the results.
He said the delay has raised the anxiety of Nigerians, particularly citizens of the two states, even as it questions INEC’s commitment to credible elections.
He said: “Having carefully followed the unfolding events relating to the gubernatorial elections in the above two states, let me categorically emphasize the imperative of releasing the results of Abia and Enugu states immediately.
“I am aware that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said they are reviewing the collation of the results in these two states. However, I would like to urge them to accelerate action on this, as their continued delay is questioning INEC’s intent and the credibility of the election. The records of the elections from polling units should not be difficult to calculate if the electoral officials are committed to the integrity of the exercise in line with the stipulated guidelines.”
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Umuahia, Abia State branch has cautioned INEC over its continued delay in declaring the true winner of last Saturday’s Governorship election in the state.
Chairman of the branch, Jasper Ejimofor, at a press conference in Umuahia, yesterday, said the delay in declaring the true winner of the election was causing unnecessary tension in the state. He said the tension could snowball into serious crisis and breakdown of law and order.
He called on President Muhammadu Buhari, INEC chairman, NBA, NUJ, civil society groups, heads of security agencies and other respected citizens and institutions to intervene and prevent bloodbath in the state.
He said overwhelming evidence emanating from INEC indicated that LP candidate, Dr. Alex Otti won the governorship election.
“Since INEC has already declared 16 LGAs and the LP candidate is leading with over 90,000 votes, and the remaining LGA of Obingwa has less than 27,000 accredited voters as captured in INEC’S data, there are no justifiable reasons why INEC should continue to delay the declaration of Otti as winner of the election. The delay in declaring the true winner of the election is causing unnecessary tension in the state, and this tension could snowball into serious crisis and breakdown of law and order. We therefore enjoin INEC to declare Alex Otti of Labour Party as the winner of the governorship election to save the state the avoidable disaster that is looming.”
