Assembly poll: Protest rocks INEC office over alleged rigging, over voting
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Hundreds of protesters who claimed to be registered voters from Ondo West and Ondo East local government areas of Ondo State, yesterday barricaded the headquarters of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for several hours to demand cancellation of the results of the March 9, 2019 State House of Assembly polls.
The protesters- led by Chief Segun Adegoke and a lawmaker, Mr. Ifadayo Akinsoyinu rejected the victory of APC and ZLP in the three state constituencies in the two local government areas in Ondo kingdom for alleged over voting, non-use of card reader machines, harassment of voters and other electoral irregularities.
The gate of INEC office was locked and security operatives were stationed around the complex to monitor the protest as the people carried placards with various inscriptions: “Our people were maimed,” “INEC stop playing God.”
Others were: “INEC a collaborator to rigging in Ondo Kingdom,” “INEC must cancel MHA result election in Ondo Kingdom,” “Akeredolu empowers youths as thugs, to mention few”.
The protester said their candidates would approach election petition tribunal if INEC refused to address their grievances on time.
Reacting, Chief Wale Gbakinro, Ondo state Chairman of the ZLP, and Mr Alex Kalejaye, the State Publicity Secretary of the APC, described the allegations of the protesters as unfounded
Gbekinro said, “we advise them to stop the mischievous tendencies and approach the court of competent jurisdiction to seek legal redress if they genuinely have any case. Our party is focused on delivering on our campaign promises and our goal is to continue to raise Ondo state to an enviable height as we have always done”.
In a statement, Kalejaye noted that, “We also encourage the PDP to grow up and quit the realm of bad losers. They should learn to accept defeat without sulking; and support the sincere efforts by the Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu-led government to enhance a solid economic growth in the State”.
