APC cautions INEC on Bayelsa election results

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against collating results of Brass, Nembe and Southern Ijaw LGAs in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

The APC, in two separate statements on Sunday in Abuja, by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said it has confirmed reports that the collation of votes in Nembe and Southern Ijaw LGAs had been moved to Yenagoa.

The party said, “In direct contrast, votes in PDP’s strongholds are being diligently collated on location in the local government areas. What exactly is the reason for this selective evacuation of votes from APC strongholds for collation in Yenagoa? This is unacceptable and highly suspect.

“While we hesitate to accuse INEC of colluding with the PDP to subvert the legitimate votes of the people in APC strongholds in favour of the PDP, we strongly object to this disturbing development that will cast a long shadow over the credibility of the Bayelsa guber polls.

“INEC is under duty to act in accordance with the law that stipulates that votes shall be collated in the respective local government areas before state collation at the state capital. We urge INEC to reverse itself on this unlawful move and collate all results in the respective local government areas as stipulated by law.”

Similarly in Kogi State, the APC has asked INEC to protect the popular will of the electorate.

Morka, in a separate statement said the commission should protect the votes cast in favour of its candidate, Ahmed Ododo.

“Announced and uploaded results, so far, show our candidate maintaining a landslide lead in Kogi West and Central, with a competitive showing in Kogi East.

“We are keenly aware of intense pressure, including violent threats on INEC staff, by agents and supporters of trailing opposition parties aimed at unduly influencing or disrupting ongoing collation of results in the state,” he said.