Prof Mahmood Yakubu, INEC Chairman
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said it will today (Wednesday)make available to the Peoples Democratic Party electoral materials for the September 21 Edo State governorship poll.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo State, Dr. Augbum Onuoha, disclosed this on Tuesday amid complaints of delay by the PDP.
In a statement on Monday, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, had alleged that INEC officials were deliberately withholding the electoral materials to allegedly doctor them in order to conceal the alleged rigging of the poll.
In response to the PDP’s concerns, the REC told PUNCH on Tuesday that the PDP would be given access to the election materials today.
“We have asked them to come tomorrow (Wednesday),” the REC said.
In a statement on Tuesday, Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Osa Nehikhare, accused INEC of employing delay tactics in alleged connivance with the All Progressives Congress to obstruct justice and frustrate the efforts of the PDP to challenge the outcome of the poll in court.
INEC had declared the APC candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, winner of the poll with 291,667 votes, to edge out PDP’s Asue Ighodalo, who recorded 247,274 votes.
But the PDP and Ighodalo alleged manipulation of the poll, vowing to challenge the result in court.
To be able to file a petition challenging the poll result, they secured a court order, directing INEC to allow them to inspect the electoral materials.
They, however, expressed frustration that INEC had refused to grant them access.
Speaking on the situation, Nehikhare said, “We are aware that the clandestine and surreptitious game plan is to frustrate the PDP’s appeal and ensure the petition is not filed before the Saturday deadline.”
The commissioner also accused the APC of planning to burn the INEC office so as to destroy the BVAS machines and other electoral materials in an attempt to eliminate evidence of their alleged ‘electoral fraud.’
On Monday, the PDP legal team, led by Olusegun Jolaawo (SAN), had visited the INEC headquarters in Benin City, to access the BIVAS machine, voters register, ballot papers and other election materials but was refused access to the materials despite presenting the court order to INEC officials.
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