… accuses Oshiomhole, security agencies of complicity
Scores of angry PDP protesters from Etsako West Constituency 1 and 2, Tuesday stormed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Benin City, demanding the review of declared results by the electoral umpire in the constituency.
According to the protesters, available results from the various polling units across the constituency show that the PDP candidates won overwhelmingly.
This latest development is coming shortly after the former Edo State Governor, Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole was accused of interfering with the election in favour of APC candidates.
It would be recalled that similar groups converged on Etsako West Constituency 1 and 2 collation centers, on Sunday, March 19, 2023, chanting anti – Oshiomhole’s slogans.
One of the protest coordinators, Comrade Sanni Emoedume, said their major demand was for President Muhammadu Buhari to call Adams Oshiomhole to order and allow the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mamood Yakubu, to intervene by reviewing the BVAS and IRev transmitted results and declare the rightful winners of Etsako West Constituency 1 and 2, Edo State House of Assembly results, respectively.
Comrade Emoedume noted that in place of the transparent and credible democratic process promised by INEC and security agencies, they were shocked to see election strange persons confiscate Etsako West Constituency 2 results to an unknown location for the declaration, while barring PDP agents from getting access to the collation center of constituency 2.
He stressed that the ugly scenario was contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines.
The protesters were received by an INEC official, Timidi Wariowe who is Head of Department, Voter Education.
Wariowe assured the aggrieved protesters that the BVAS would be reviewed by the Commission to ascertain winners of the election, while necessary action would be taken by the Commission to restore peace to the area.