…Clarifies issues of IReV results in Edo
From David Onuoja, Abuja
The Director General, Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness (CCLCA), Dr. Nwambu Gabriel, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to as a matter of fact, upload results of Form EC8A into the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV), to avoid fake results flying in the internet.
Dr. Nwambu Gabriel, who made the call during an exclusive interview with the Graphic newspaper equally clarified on some of the issues surrounding INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV) in Edo state.
He said, CCLCA deployed over 300 election observers who monitored the just concluded gubernatorial election in Edo state.
According to him, “What transpired in Edo state during the last gubernatorial election is disturbing. While election was still going on, the results of 2020 were uploaded to the internet by some fraudulent individuals instead of 2024 to cause confusion and bad name to INEC”, he revealed.
The Director General also accused the governor of Adamawa state, Ahmodu Fintiri, for allegedly announcing results that is mainly the obligation of INEC.
“In fact, a person of his caliber who is in government is not supposed to do what he did. Doing the work of INEC is against the law. And I believed after 2027, when his immunity will expired, he may be prosecuted”, he added.
On the issue of irregularities he said, “yes, we heard from our representative (observers) complaining of that however, that does not means that the election was not free and fair.
“One noticeable thing is that, INEC did not start the election on time, as in some areas, it commenced at about 8am, 9am and even 11am which makes INEC to extended the time for those areas.
“The heavy rain that fall on that day also contributed to some of the problems as there were no vehicles and security agents to convey the election materials (sensitive and non sensitive materials) and adhoc staff to their places of assignment.
“Another problem is the road transport workers who did not agreed to carry the election materials due to the complains of not receiving their remunerations.
“However, to us, we believed that the work is in progress. Though, it is not Uhuru yet but I can tell you that Edo election was free and fair
“To us, we believed that the election has pass a credibility test, we believed that the election was transparent, we believed that INEC conducted the election in line with the electoral act of 2022 as amended.
“Section 65 of 2022 electoral act is very clear and unambiguous. That section permit the electorates to petition INEC on any irregularities that may occur during any election which they observed not coherent with the law. That particular section also gives INEC the power to investigate even within one week and come out with it’s finding whether the election results were declared under duress or not”, he averred.
Dr. Gabriel advised INEC to immediately, after declaring results at the polling units and recorded in the EC8A Form, the same results should be uploaded to the IReV in order not to give room for fake results and fake news, he said.
