The Social Democratic Party, SDP in Nigeria has rejected the outcome of the November 11th, 2023 Off-cycle gubernatorial election, stating that the entire process was compromised by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Speaking at a Press Conference, the National Chairman of the SDP, Shehu Musa Gabam was dismayed with the outcome of the election stating that the election was manipulated.
The National Chairman of the party also said that the party was “disappointed with INEC as an institution. The electoral act is very clear and we’ve seen where malpractices have been recorded.”
Mr. Gabam said that the SDP “have written a comprehensive petition against INEC where sensitive materials were leaked in some local governments and INEC admitted to these bridges in statements but never replied to us”.
He said “In the entire Kogi Central Senatorial District, the results sheets were manipulated and INEC admitted it will investigate.
“In this same country that we fought for democracy, this is the kind of development that is happening. What we are doing is the administration of crime and criminality.”
Over voting
According to the SDP, there were a lot of over voting where people who voted were more than the registered voters.
“There were areas where voting did not take place, voters chased out, but presiding officers at the polling units gave over 400 votes in most of these polling units manipulated to the APC,” Gabam said.
“We are having worse times in this country than what happened in the past. Impunity is the order of the day.
“Alhaji Murtala Ajaka should have been declared winner. We want INEC to recant the filled results and review earlier incorrect declarations and declare Murtala Ajaka winner,” SDP said.
According to SDP, INEC could not deal with the results because the commission abandoned the IREV. We thought their limitation was the security agencies. Security did their best in Kogi State. But the same institution that we trust, did worse.
“The same INEC that released a press release in Kogi state on the malpractices of the election still went ahead to declare results.
“We, the SDP disagree with INEC, we are sad at the brazen disregard to the rule of law. If they think they can have their way in court, they should wait for the judgement of God,” Gabam said.
“The system keeps on going down. INEC is not independent. The INEC chairman confirmed it when he met with the security agencies because he depends on these organs for his work.
“For Mahmood Yakubu to save himself and the system, he should come clean because the process is not free and fair.
He said the governorship candidate, the party would not surrender, lamenting that the executive appointed the RECs that were partisans and who compromised the system.
Lateefah Ibrahim
