The Abia State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), in Umuahia, has been taken over by protesters over what they described as the brazen manipulation of election results in the presidential and National Assembly polls.
The protesters under the umbrella of Coalition of Civil Society, South East chapter, said the outcome of the polls didn’t reflect the wishes of the electorate and accused INEC of failing to ensure free, fair and credible elections.
Some of the placards on display during the protest read;”INEC chairman is a disappointment”; “This is electoral fraud”, “We can’t continue like this”, ” Nigeria youths are disappointed”; “tax payers money wasted”, among others.
Deputy coordinator of the group, Chijioke Abraham, said they are disappointed with INEC over its failure to transmit election results from polling units.
He said;”INEC is here to thwart the result of the will of the masses. They have not done well. INEC should sit up and ensure that they give us the will of the people so that there will not be break down of law and order”.
Secretary of the group, Okonkwo Boniface Chidi said they decided to register their dissatisfaction in areas where INEC did not conduct election.
He also lamented that INEC did not upload election results through the BVAS, contrary to its assurances.
“We advise “Muhammadu Buhari to do something. INEC boss should be held responsible for this abnormality.
“We are peaceful but not happy with the result of the elections.”
On his part, Nwankwo Chukwuemeka Christopher, who is the Treasurer of the group, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to take steps to ensure that the problems witnessed in the presidential and National Assembly polls were rectified before the March 11 governorship and state Assembly elections.
“The will of the people should not be thwarted. The President should ensure no repeat of INEC failure during the next election.”
