C’River: PDP accuses INEC of frustrating court orders on inspection of electoral materials
From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state of frustrating court orders on inspection of electoral materials.
The orders is contained in relief granted in one of the Party’s prayers relief in the Petition No:EPT/CR/GOV/03M/2023 dated April 4,2023.
The petition was filed by Sen. Sandy Onor, the PDP governorship candidate, before the three man Tribunal led by Hon Justice J.O. Okeaya Inneh.
The Secretary of the PDP Special Committee Inspection team, Chris Agbor, who made this known in Calabar said all attempts made by his members to inspect the listed materials have been met brick wall.
He accused the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof Gabriel Yomere, and the Head of Operations of playing hide-and-sick-game with them.
“The commission has deliberately refused us access to the BVAS, used and unused ballot papers, result sheets, ballot paper stumps and other essential materials”
“The action of the REC is a flagrant disregard to the subsisting Order issued by honourable Tribunal and this unwholesome posture tantamount to contempt of court”
“At this stage we are left with no other option than to report to the Court for necessary action to enable us secure unhindered access to the materials. This is an essential process and step in pursuing the matter”
“The action of the Commission, especially the Head of Operations, is an indication that there is a foul play somewhere.
“We shall pursue this inspection of election materials to the end just as we shall not be deterred in any way from pursuing the case to its logical conclusion”, Agbor said.
When contacted on phone, Yomere, claimed he is not aware of any impediment hindering the PDP team from inspecting the materials.
In his words, “I was diagnosed of glaucoma and I am currently in Kano State to see my ophthalmologist for a likely surgery. But before traveling, I handed over to the Administrative Secretary with specific instructions to ensure strict compliance to every Court order” he said.
He added that the PDP is free to access every materials used at the elections except the BIVAS which they must apply to the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
When you check the result from polling unit 005 AA candidate in scored about 40 votes but in the entire collation in Abi AA did not secure up to 40 votes