The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) has called for the resignation of the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, over the failed November 16 governorship poll in Anambra State just as it claimed that it had discovered discrepancies in the results earlier announced by the commission.
The CNPP, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Osita Okechukwu in Abuja on Monday, said it was making the call in light of emerging incontrovertible evidences that showed that the election was marred by gross irregularities.
The statement noted that CNPP had uncovered massive fraud in the votes allocated to candidates after the ‘inconclusive’ governorship elections in the state, “which gave the All Progressives Grand Alliance candidate, Willie Obiano, undeserved lead”.
In apparent reference to INEC’s insistence that it would go ahead with the Nov. 30 supplementary polls in the state despite cries by some individuals, groups and political parties among others that the previously announced results be cancelled for fresh elections, CNPP made it clear that if Jega still refuses to heed such calls in spite of substantial evidence, it would be left with no choice than to call for his resignation.
“For the avoidance of doubt, beyond the mangling of the voter register, the deliberate delay in arrival of voting materials at the stronghold of the All Progressives Congress, the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party and withholding of result sheets, is the bizarre allocation of 96,569 votes which gave APGA candidate the undeserved lead,” the statement read.
It further stated “Where on earth did INEC manufacture the 96,569 votes from? The INEC posted the Anambra State governorship result as follows: Total Votes Cast – 429,549; Cancelled Votes – 113,113; leaving a differential of 316,436
“The electoral body stated that Mr. Willie Obiano of APGA got 174,710 to finish tops. Mr. Tony Nwoye of PDP polled 94,956 to finish second, Mr. Chris Ngige of APC came third with 92,300 votes, while Mr. Ifeanyi Ubah of LP came fourth with 37,440.
“The amazing results tallied 399,406 as the total number of valid votes allocated to the four major candidates during the election. However, bearing in mind that INEC said 429,529 people voted, out of which 113,113 were nullified, that means only 316,436 legitimate votes were recorded”.
It added, “The implication is that the number of votes allocated to the four major candidates by INEC is higher than the total number of valid votes cast during the election. This does not even take into consideration the votes garnered by the remaining 18 candidates in the contest”.
“Total votes allocated to candidates are 413,005. When you subtract 316, 436 from 413,005, you get 96,569. It is our contention that the total votes scored by APGA candidate were inflated from 78,141 to 174,710 votes, being the preferred candidate whose double registration allegation still vibrates in spite of INEC’s attempt to sweep it under the carpet”.
The statement noted that it was trite law that if a principal willfully upholds or adopts the shady actions of servants or agents, as in this instance, where Jega still upholds the flawed result in spite of substantial and incontrovertible evidences, they would call for his resignation.
