Elections Were Credible – INEC Replies LP And PDP

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has challenged aggrieved parties to approach the court.

Gatekeepers News earlier reported that Labour Party (LP) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have asked the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Yakubu Mahmood to step down.

The opposition parties faulted the credibility of the Saturday, February 25 presidential and national assembly elections, calling for a cancellation.

On Monday, PDP agent, Dino Melaye other party agents, staged a walkout of the national collation centre in Abuja over INEC’s delay in uploading the presidential election results to the election results viewing portal (IRev).

Melaye had also reportedly accused INEC chairman, Yakubu of rigging the electoral process.

In response to this in a statement signed by Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Commission said the call for Yakubu’s resignation is “misplaced”.

The Commission also said the allegation by Melaye that the INEC chairman allocated scores to parties was unfounded and irresponsible.

The statement read, “At the same time, contrary to the insinuation by both parties, results emanating from the States point to a free, fair, and credible process.

“There are laid down procedures for aggrieved parties or candidates to follow when they are dissatisfied about the outcome of an election. Such procedures do not include calling on the INEC Chairman to resign or for the election to be cancelled.

“To be sure, aggrieved parties are free to approach the courts to ventilate their concerns and wait for the matter to be resolved. Making inciting comments capable of causing violence or unrest is unacceptable.

“The 2023 General election processes are in their final stages of completion. It is only fair for aggrieved parties to allow the conclusion of the process and approach the courts with their evidences to pursue their cases.”