Mr. Valentine Ozigbo
Anambra 2021: ‘Take allegations of rigging seriously’ – Ozigbo tells INEC, demands extension of voting time
[From CHINEDU NWAFOR]
Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Anambra governorship election, Valentine Ozigbo has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take allegations of rigging seriously, even as he urged the commission to extend voting time to enable every eligible voter to vote.
Ozigbo, spoke shortly after voting with his wife Orjiugo, at PU 010, Social Centre square, Amaesi Ward in Aguata Local Government Area of the State.
He said the call for extension of voting time was hinged on the fact that the BVAS machine was slow in authenticating voters due to network failure.
Ozigbo who voted after about 20 minutes of accreditation delay expressed worry that all willing electorate may not be able to vote if the 2:30 pm deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was to be strictly adhered to.
“I want to thank God for the clement weather, a moment ago, I and my wife fulfilled our own part of the obligation which is to cast our votes.
“Thank God it is peaceful and we have been able to vote, but it is a mixed feeling, I am a bit worried by the time it took us to vote, verification by BVAS machine was slow, we had to use hotspot before it worked, while I commend INEC for the technology, I want to say it must be improved.
“So, I call for extension of time to ensure every eligible voter votes. If it is not their cause, I am expecting a minimum of one million people to vote out of about 2.5 million registered voters,” he said.
On the issue of rigging, the PDP candidate said, “Some people are desperate about this election and in that desperation, they can do anything, they want to write results and push it in.
“I am calling on my agents and indeed agents of other political parties to guard against that and ensure that only what transpired at the polling units are recorded.”
Ozigbo further said the election was widely participatory as a result of the cancellation of the IPOB’s sit-at-home that posed a major threat to the election.
