By Halimah Olamide
The Kogi State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has alleged that the State’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, INEC, Mr. Hale Gabriel Longpet connived with the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Murtala Yakub Ajaka to tamper with electoral materials in the November poll.
This was contained in a statement signed by the state’s party spokesperson, Kingsley Femi Fanwo on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the SDP and it’s candidate, Yakub Ajaka, ordered an ex-parte order of the tribunal of the 25th November, 2023 to allow INEC inspect the electoral materials used for the Governorship Election for the purpose of assisting the SDP and its Candidate institute and maintain a Petition which at the time had not been filed.
Additionally, INEC was given only 48 hours to comply with the said orders which includes all forms, registers, result sheets, ballot papers and BVAS machines.
However, INEC defied the order which was served on the 27th of November and proceeded to file a motion before the Tribunal on the 29th of November 2023 praying the Court to set aside the said orders contending that the Tribunal lacked the jurisdiction to make the said Orders and for other reasons such as apparent contradictions in the said Ex-parte Order.
“That Motion to set aside dated and filed on 29/11/2023 is to our knowledge still before the Tribunal as it has not been heard.”
The statement read in part;
“It must also be noted that till date, the said Order for inspection granted on 25/11/2023 has not been served on the winner of that election, Alhaji Usman Ododo and the APC who are listed as parties in the said Order of Court.
“Most importantly is the fact that the Petition in respect of which the order of inspection was initially sought and granted was filed on the 2nd of December 2023 with the SDP and its candidate admitting at paragraph 92 of the contentious Petition that INEC had given them documents contained in the Order which included Voters Register, BVAS Accreditation Reports and Result Sheets.
“With the above background in mind, It is therefore shocking to learn that the REC of INEC in Kogi State, who works for a body which has asked a Court to set aside the Ex-parte Order for inspection it made, is now organizing an inspection exercise in Abuja for the SDP and its Candidate, an exercise which is fully and financially sponsored by the SDP and its candidate.”
It also read; “Specifically, the REC sent out the following messages to affected Staff of INEC in Kogi State:
“Good evening everyone and compliment of the season.
“I have just been contacted by the legal team of the SDP regarding the inspection of the election materials for the November 11th Governorship Election.
“They said that they had communicated to the Commission that they would like to start the inspection with Adavi, Okehi and Okene.
“They are ready to be responsible for the logistics and accommodation of the EOs and the HOD EOPs and ICT who must be at the Inspection as directed.
“Please convey this information to the affected officials.
As for the logistics, Barrister Olowo who has been dealing with us will provide the funds.
“Please ensure that all officers and HODs mentioned are in attendance for the inspection.
Admin Sec. Co-ordinate.
Thanks. REC.”
According to the statement, the message was followed up by another request sent at the instance of the REC as follows:
“Inline with the above, I have been directed to inform the HODs (Ops&ICT) HoU Logistics and Electoral officers of Adavi, Okehi and Okene LGA to avail themselves at the Commission’s Headquarter, Abuja on 4th Jan, 2024 for the inspection, scheduled to hold by 9am to 6pm.
“Pls treat this as urgent”.
HoD Legal Services
For: REC
“The above messages no doubt shows the desperation of the Kogi State Resident Electoral Commissioner who has been heavily compromised by the Social Democratic Party, its Candidate, and their cohorts. It is clear that the SDP and its Candidate who claimed to have filed their Petition have an ulterior motive regarding the election materials used for the conduct of the November 11 Governorship Election in Kogi State and the REC Kogi State who is on their payroll is willing and ready to assist them to tamper with these materials. The REC by the above message is willing to comprise other staff of INEC by allowing the SDP pay for their transportation, accommodation and other logistics for an assignment which ought to be an official assignment. The Law which set up and regulate the activities of INEC does not confer on INEC’s legal opponents to fund INEC’s official assignments.”
“It is unfortunate that the REC in charge of Kogi State has decided to soil his hands in a case which legality of filing is still in contention till date. He has clearly failed the test of impartiality and integrity and has clearly misrepresented the nobility of INEC.
The state’s party chapter has therefore called on INEC to suspend the inspection of electoral materials used during the election pending the time the determination of the Motion on Notice filed by INEC and others to set the Order of inspection aside. It also urged INEC to suspend the REC from the state pending the outcome of the disciplinary process against him.