The Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Ogun State, Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, has alleged the manipulation of the results of Saturday’s election in the state.
The incumbent and candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Isiaka alleged that the election was manipulated and rigged by the APC in connivance with INEC.
Addressing reporters in Abeokuta, the Director of Media and Publicity of the Gboyega Nasir Isiaka Campaign Organisation, Ifekayode Akinbode, said the outcome of the poll was not a true reflection of the wishes of Ogun State people.
Akinbode said as at 3pm on Saturday, the PDP was receiving good results from all over the state until Amosun allegedly “defied the electoral law and moved out of his polling zone into other areas”.
Akinbode said in a prepared statement he read: “The Gboyega Nasir Isiaka Campaign Organization hereby declare the gubernatorial election held yesterday (Saturday) as very unfortunate and a travesty staged to help the APC achieve victory.
“Whereas, INEC declared APC the winner with 307,008 votes and the PDP coming second with 201,440 votes, we are not oblivious of the clear manipulations, misrepresentations, underhand dealings and outright rigging by the APC; and most unfortunately with the culpability of INEC.
“Let us quickly state emphatically that we are displeased with the outcome of the governorship election particularly as being irregular in most aspects. It is clearly not a true reflection of Ogun people’s wish and it will be challenged as appropriate.
“However we must state a few facts here to support our preliminary position. Before the election, we alerted that huge numbers of uncollected Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) were in the possession of APC stalwarts with the intention to give same to their party members for use with active connivance of compromised corps members and INEC staff. This was indeed what happened.
“Secondly, on the election date, Ogun people trooped out and actually voted for the PDP. As at 3pm we were actually receiving good results from all over the state as results were being announced and posted from various polling booths. This was the situation until Senator Amosun defied the electoral law and moved out of his polling zone into other areas of Abeokuta and then to Sagamu, Ota and Ifo local government areas with a full retinue of buses.
“What followed were reports of snatching of ballot boxes and stuffing of same in these locations. Same manipulation happened enroute the collation centres. It was for these reasons that some PDP agents refused to sign the results sheets; yet the umpire went ahead to announce results despite the overvoting, result falsification, harassment of our party agents and other irregularities.
“Clearly, the huge votes from Ogun central local governments of Abeokuta North Abeokuta South, Odeda, Obafemi Owode as well as Ado-Odo/Ota LG in Ogun West Senatorial district were a true reflection of the rigging.
“It is in the light of the foregoing that our legal officers and the party are looking at the results and they shall come up with a clear position on this election that was marred with gross irregularities. We implore our supporters, party faithful and indeed Ogun people to remain calm. We appreciate the support, trust and confidence reposed on Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka. He remains committed to making Life More Abundant for the masses and so shall it remain.”
But the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Chief Timothy Ibitoye, said the allegation was untrue and unfounded.
Ibitoye said the outcome of the poll was the true reflection of the wishes of the people of the state.
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