APC Cautions INEC On Bayelsa Election Results

 

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against collating results of Brass, Nembe and Southern Ijaw LGAs in Yenagoa,…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against compiling results from the Brass, Nembe, and Southern Ijaw Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State.

The APC acknowledged claims that collation of votes in Nembe and Southern Ijaw LGAs had been shifted to Yenagoa in two separate comments issued on Sunday in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka.

"In direct contrast, votes in PDP strongholds are being diligently collated on location in local government areas," the party added. What is the rationale for the selective evacuation of ballots from APC strongholds for collation in Yenagoa? This is both unacceptable and highly suspicious.

"While we hesitate to accuse INEC of colluding with the PDP to sway legitimate votes in APC strongholds in favor of the PDP, we strongly object to this disturbing development, which will cast a long shadow over the credibility of the Bayelsa gubernatorial election."

"INEC is required by law to act in accordance with the law, which states that votes must be counted in the respective local government areas before being counted at the state capital." We urge INEC to rectify its illegal action and collate all results in the respective local government areas, as required by law."Similarly, in Kogi State, the APC has asked INEC to protect the electorate's popular will.

In a second statement, Morka stated that the commission should protect the votes cast in support of its candidate, Ahmed Ododo.

"So far, results announced and uploaded show our candidate maintaining a landslide lead in Kogi West and Central, with a competitive showing in Kogi East."

"We are keenly aware of intense pressure, including violent threats on INEC staff, by agents and supporters of trailing opposition parties aimed at unduly influencing or disrupting ongoing collation of results in the state," the minister stated.