The All Progressives Congress (APC) Senatorial candidate, Barrister David Umaru has expressed dismay over the shoddy handling of the Saturday Niger East senatorial Bye-Election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Barrister Umaru told Journalists on Sunday evening during a press conference at the APC secretariat in Minna that he is very optimistic he will emerge victorious come next Saturdaywhen a rerun is conducted for the remaining polling units.
According to him “you need not to be told of the result of the election which was declared inconclusive by INEC on Sunday, I was quite hopeful initially that the exercise was going to be flawless but unfortunately as the day opened, events turned sour and the elections were marred by various electoral irregularities and other vices.”I was able to talk to a few persons who gave me updates of the voting but at the end of the exercise, INEC declared it inconclusive. I want to assure you that we are committed to the journey in search of the truth. This unfortunate incident will not make us relent neither will it discourage us because the party is fully committed to enthroning true democracy at whatever cost.
Our resolved and doggedness in the face of all intimidations and manipulations of the ruling party (PDP) during the elections gave us hope that we can in the face of all odds stand against the agents of oppression.
“We should not have any illusion that we will not partake in the rerun election that will take place on Saturday.
“I have discussed with the State Chairman and he has confirmed that we will defeat them.
He however called on all electorates and Nigerlites to remain calm in the face of all forms of provocation, adding that “I assure you that this will not last for too long. We are confident that given the chance, in the coming elections, we shall emerge victorious.”
When asked if he will go to court if he eventually lose the rerun at the Four Local Government Areas, Umaru said “I look towards Saturday with optimism not pessimism. I don’t contemplate going to court, but I contemplate someone else going to court. Rather than looking for a scapegoat, I think we all know who the culprit is.”
It would be recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that the Saturday bye-election was inconclusive.