Following calls by PDP, LP, some political parties and notable personalities calling for cancellation of the electoral process for failure to upload results to INEC viewing portal which they alleged had compromised the credibility of the Election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has advised aggrieved political parties to seek legal redress if not satisfied with the electoral process, adding that calls for the resignation of INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, by the parties is not possible.
Recalled that the national collation agents for the Peoples Democratic Party, Dino Melaye and Emeka Ihedioha , agents of Social Democratic Party, Labour Party and Action Democratic Party had
on Monday stormed out of the International Conference Centre in Abuja over alleged rigging.
They had unanimously accused INEC of violating the Electoral Act by going ahead with the result collation and announcement despite not uploading the results on the INEC Result Viewing portal.
Reacting to the allegation on Tuesday, the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, said that “results emanating from the states point to a free, fair and credible process.”
He however urged parties to allow the conclusion of the electoral process and if not satisfied, they could approach the court.
He noted, “The call by the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Democratic Party on the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu to resign is misplaced. The allegation by Dino Melaye that the INEC chairman allocated scores to parties is unfounded and irresponsible.
“At the same time, contrary to the insinuation by both parties, results emanating from the states point to a free, fair and credible process.
“There are laid down procedures for aggrieved parties or candidates to follow when they are dissatisfied about the outcome of an election. Such procedures do not include calling on the INEC chairman to resign or for the election to be cancelled.
“To be sure, aggrieved parties are free to approach the courts to ventilate their concerns and wait for the matter to be resolved. Making inciting comments capable of causing violence or unrest is unacceptable.
“The 2023 general election processes are in their final stages of completion. It is only fair for aggrieved parties to allow the conclusion of the process and approach the courts with their evidences to pursue their cases.”