The Sokoto State Chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) on Sunday
rejected the declaration of Gov. Aminu Tambuwal as winner of the
just-concluded governorship election in the state.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Mr Tambuwal
winner of the election after Saturday’s supplementary with a narrow margin
of 342 votes.
The Chief Collation/Returning Officer, Fatima Mukhtar, said Mr Tambuwal of
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured the highest votes of 512, 002,
defeating his close rival Ahmad Aliyu of APC, who polled 511, 660 votes.
Addressing a press conference in Sokoto, the APC’s spokeman, Bello
Danchadi, rejected the declaration on the ground that the process was
flawed with irregularities, which he said were duly reported to electoral
body.
Mr Danchadi said the margin of 342 votes was far less than the registered
voters in polling units where elections were not held, a development which
he said contravened the electoral law.
He said the party had also registered its complaints to INE, which
included alleged outright rigging perpetrated by the PDP.
He alleged that some eligible voters at some polling centres were denied
voting, and in some places repeated votings were recorded.
“We draw the attention of INEC to a number of polling units that were
canceled as result of violent attacks by thugs, while others were
arbitrarily canceled to please certain political party interests.
“In view of these we deem it necessary to express our disagreement with
the action taken by INEC to declare a winner without giving us a fair
hearing in our position in the electoral processes, ” he said.
The Benue chapter of the APC also rejected the outcome of the governorship
election declared on Sunday, in favour of Gov Samuel Ortom of the PDP.
The party said in a statement on Sunday in Makurdi that the results did
not reflect the wishes of the people.
The statement signed by Eugene Aliegba, Secretary Jime/Ode Campaign
Organisation, said that APC would challenge the results in court.
Mr Ortom polled 434,473 votes to defeat his closest rival, Emmanuel Jime
of the APC, who polled 345,155 votes.
The statement declared that the outcome of the poll was “totally
unacceptable to the APC”.
It, however, thanked those who voted for Mr Jime and Sam Ode, the party’s
governorship and deputy governorship candidates in the election, and
prayed God to reward them for their trust and confidence in the team.
“When we embarked on this journey many months ago, it was to translate to
reality the dreams of a better future for our suffering people.
“We toured the entire state and made our case for wealth creation through
agriculture, education reforms, infrastructure development and a welfare
package for our senior citizens.
“We told our people of our plans for improved capacity and welfare for
civil servants, and a health policy that covers all Benue residents.
“Our messages resonated with the electorate because they could tell that
our projects were about service, not hinged on intent to occupy office for
the sake of it.
“But, even as the results declared did not appear to reflect the will of
most of these same people, we call on our supporters to remain calm and
law abiding as they had been throughout the campaigns and electioneering
period.
“They have our full assurance that as a party that believes in democracy,
we will not accept a stolen election,” it added.
The statement implored the party faithful not to waver in their trust on
the party to reclaim is mandate.
“Going into this contest, we were well aware of the fact that only one of
two outcomes was possible – either we win fairly in line with the massive
support we earned from the people, or another winner emerges through a
credible and transparent process.
“We did not anticipate a third option that confers advantage to those who
play dubiously outside the laid down rules of the game,” he said.
“We will make a case before the Elections Petitions Tribunal to subject
the Benue governorship elections result to an integrity test. If we opt
otherwise, we will be as guilty as those who undertake acts that undermine
democracy.
“We have chosen to take action that insulates democracy from practices
that threaten it,” the statement said.
The party, therefore, urged its members and well-wishers to remain calm
and refrain from acts that would jeopardise the existing peace in the
state. (NAN)