*** Calls On INEC, Relevant Authorities To Investigate And Punish Perpetrators
Over 41,000 eligible voters were said to have been denied the opportunity to choose who to represent them in the green chamber during the last week Saturday’s national Assembly election in Isoko federal constituency, the All Progressives Congress, (APC), APC House of Representatives Candidate for Isoko Federal Constituency, Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, has stated.
Reviewing the election, the APC house of representatives candidate in a statement entitled “Delay Is Not Denial: Our Victory Is Sure”, signed by his Media Aide, Obah Sylva, the election was disrupted in Isoko North local government area and the process was hijacked by Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) hoodlums and other irregularities that took place, saying ” this ignoble act has delayed our victory song.”
“The National Assembly election which held on Saturday, 23rd of February, 2019 in Isoko Federal Constituency witnessed a massive turn out by enthusiastic supporters, who desire change, and voting went on peacefully until the peaceful atmosphere was disrupted in Isoko North Local Government Area and the election process was hijacked by PDP hoodlums and other irregularities that took place. This ignoble act has delayed our victory song.
“Based on the report from Election Observers and agents of our political party, election ballot papers and results sheets were not supplied to Olomoro Ward 6, which denied 11,033 eligible voters the opportunity to choose their Representative. Similarly, in Umeh/Erowha Ward which was clearly won by Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, the APC Candidate, was cancelled with another 6044 voters disenfranchised.
“Additional votes in favour of the APC candidate cancelled in other units in Isoko South Local Government Area were in excess of 13,000. In Isoko North, there were also cancellation in excess of 11,000 votes. There was also no election in Okpe-Isoko and Oyede as the ballot boxes and other materials were hijacked. Results later emerged in favour of the PDP candidate.
“Consequent upon the above activities, over 41,000 eligible voters were denied the opportunity to choose who to represent them. We are yet to understand how a heavily rigged election with about 11,000 winning margin can be termed as a successful election, when there are over 41,000 votes that are outstanding.
“We are calling on the Chairman of INEC and relevant authorities to investigate this abuse of law and bring the perpetrators of this heineous crime to book and be punished adequately, while the anomaly should be corrected.
“We also wish to call on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to use his good offices to correct this anomaly, which should not allow a thief to hide behind legal processes. We wish to appeal to our supporters to remain calm, while we explore every available measure to reclaim our mandate.”, the statement concluded.