Rattled by the decision of INEC on the cancellation of supplementary elections in some some polling units in Bauchi State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bauchi State chapter, has rejected the decision taken by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Addressing a press conference, in Bauchi on Saturday, the state chairman of the party, Alhaji Uba Ahmed Nana said the position taken by INEC contravenes the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.
“Considering the letters and spirit of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended), and the INEC Guidelines for 2019 General Elections, INEC is not empowered to reverse any decision taken at the Collation Center by the Returning Officer appointed for that purpose. Such decisions can only be reversed by a Court of law especially when INEC cannot Approbate and Reprobate,”the party stated.“The composition of the committee is also questionable as the Committee chairman, Festus Okoye Esq, is a close ally of and ex-personal Solicitor of Hon. Yakubu Dogara of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).No justice can be done by the committee chairman who is interested in the whole issues and the instant circumstances.
“This was proved by the fact that PDP has already pre-empted the outcome of the Committee’s finding which was widely circulated on Social Media (On Yakubu Dogara’s Facebook page) before formal publication by INEC, “it added.
The party further added had in a letter dated 14th March, 2019 applied to INEC to cancel the result of Bauchi Local Government on ground of over-voting, non accreditation of voters and other electoral malpractices.
It however stated that INEC is yet to respond or take action on its request on Bauchi LGA result to be cancelled.
” It was our belief that INEC was an unbiased umpire but we are being disproved by the unfolding circumstances especially as regards the cases of Tafawa Balewa and Bauchi Local Government Areas.
“We therefore reject in clear and unambiguous terms, INEC decision in reversing itself on the Results of Tafawa Balewa as contained in the Press Release dated 15th March, 2019 and signed by Festus Okoye , the National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, same is illegal, null and void for being contrary to Rules of Natural Justice, “the party argued.
