All Progressives Congress (APC), Bauchi State chapter, has rejected the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to re-collate and adopt the governorship election results from Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area.
The results from Tafawa Balewa were earlier rejected after the local government Collation Officer, Mrs. Dominion Anosike said that there were intimidation and violence at the Collation Center.
INEC announced on Friday night that a new returning officer will resume the collation of the Bauchi governorship election results on Tuesday. It also amended the result of four polling units in Ningi local government, from 25,330 to 2,533. The decision meant that the commission will announce the winner of the election thereafter.
But, at a Press Conference in Bauchi on Saturday, APC stated that the action taken by the electoral body was null and void. The state chairman of the party, Alhaji Uba Ahmed Nana, said this while addressing a press conference,
Nana said the position taken by INEC contravened the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.
He said “Considering the letters and spirit of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended), and the INEC Guidelines for 2019 General Elections, INEC is not empowered to reverse any decision taken at the Collation Center by the Returning Officer appointed for that purpose.
“Such decisions can only be reversed by a Court of law, especially when INEC cannot Approbate and Reprobate
“The party also accused the Festus Okoye-led committee of denying it fair hearing as its agent were not invited during the hearing to ascertain the circumstances leading to the cancellation of the Tafawa Balewa local government election result.
“The composition of the committee is also questionable as the Committee chairman, Festus Okoye Esq, is a close ally of and ex-personal Solicitor of Hon. Yakubu Dogara of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“No justice can be done by the committee chairman who is interested in the whole issues and the instant circumstances.”