MEMBERS of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Okitipupa /Irele Federal Constituency, Ondo State, have accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of colluding with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to rig the February 23 election in the area to the detriment of their candidate, Albert Akintoye.
“The last Saturday election was marred with violence and characterized by irregularities purportedly organized by PDP in connivance with the electoral umpire (INEC) and security agents,” said Agbajuni Oluwafemi
APC ‘s Publicity Secretary in Okitipupa Local Government in a statement made available to Elendu Reports.
The party urged the INEC to declare its candidate, Akintoye, the winner of the election, insisting that the elections were marred by all forms of irregularities which it said did not allow citizens to exercise their franchise freely.
The statement reads partly below:
Below are parts of the evil perpetrated in Okitipupa /Irele Federal constituency. In Okitipupa, the National Vice Chairman South/west of PDP, Olorogun Eddy Olafeso led thugs who carried dangerous weapons and charms to Okitipupa.
They chased voters away and manipulated the results of various units. For instance, card reader were not allowed to be used in Okitipupa ward 2 units 002, yet they recorded 66 for APC 102 for PDP an unit 019 ,they recorded 54 for APC and136 for PDP without the use of card reader.
Same thing happened to the entire 3 wards in Ilutitun the home town of the PDP House of Representatives candidate Mr.Ikengboju Gboluga, where voting materials for units 14 and 15 were burnt down by PDP thugs .As if that was not enough, card reader was not allowed to be used in virtually all the 3 units in Ilutitun.Yet,votes were unjustifiably awarded to PDP which culminated into unwarranted allotment of highest number of votes to PDP by INEC in the entire Federal Constituency.
In Ode Aye ward 1, unit 002,thugs beat up APC members and did not allow the use of Card reader, this incident led to the cancellation of the result of the unit. Also,Igbotako was not left out of this ill act as thugs invaded unit 001 of Igbotako ward 2 .
The unit is situated in the home front of erstwhile Deputy Governorship candidate of ACN,Otunba Paul Akintelure.
The thugs beat up whoever they sighted and and set ablaze the election materials in the place. Also in Akinfosile unit,men in Army uniform snatched away already counted ballot and whisked away the Corp member who was the INEC adhoc staff on duty for hours.
Card reader was not also used in unit 011of Iju Odo/Erekiti ward where thugs casted all the votes,but then,INEC still awarded votes at will to that unit.
In Irele LG, virtually the election in all the units were marred with various form irregularities ranging from no usage of card reader, ballot snatching, use of dangerous weapons and charms to burning of electoral materials at the full glare of security personnel.
Our prayer Sir,is that,Hon Albert Akintoye ,the APC ‘s flagbearer in Okitipupa /Irele Federal constituency should be declared the winner of the election more so that the candidates of other political parties concurred that Albert Akintoye genuinely won the election.
Not this alone, there were series of protests on the streets of towns and villages in Okitipupa and Irele local governments against the conduct of the election.
Thank you Sir.
Signed:
Agbajuni Oluwafemi
APC ‘s Publicity Secretary ,
Okitipupa Local Government.
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