The Nasarawa State Governorship Election Tribunal, today’s proceedings revealed substantial evidence as the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) lead counsel, Ombugadu J. S. Okutepa SAN, presented critical testimony.
The tribunal embarked on a deep dive into the core of the case by summoning crucial witnesses who illuminated purported irregularities during the 2023 General Elections.
All eyes were on the first subpoenaed witness, the Head of the Department of INEC ICT in Nasarawa State, as he was queried about document submissions. Among the requested documents were BVAS screenshots and printouts from polling units under scrutiny.
Regrettably, only two out of the expected five copies were produced, with the witness asserting that the remaining three copies were inexplicably absent.
The spotlight then turned to the star witness of the day, Barr Ayiwulu Baba Ayiwulu, the PDP State Collation Agent. Ayiwulu brought to light a series of documents generated from INEC BVAS IREV that were not meticulously collated as per the INEC Guidelines for the 2023 General Elections.
He highlighted disparities in the collation of Form EC8As, EC8Bs, and related documents for Governorship and State Assembly results in numerous constituencies. These discrepancies encompassed pivotal areas such as Azara, Kanje/Aburi, Gaiyam, Ciroma, Ashige, Aliwaza Mada, Ningo/Boha, Shege, Gadabuke, Lafia North, and Lafia Central State Assembly Constituencies.
Ayiwulu underscored that these errors extended to incorrectly tabulated scores and unlawfully nullified results. He clarified that such irregularities were rampant throughout the previous Governorship elections in Nasarawa state. The tribunal was urged to rely on the original and certified copies of Form EC8As to ensure an accurate compilation of the results.
Cross-examinations followed, with representatives of the first, second, and third respondents (INEC, APC, and A A Sule) probing Ayiwulu’s claims. Ayiwulu stood firm, affirming that the elections were marred by irregularities and human errors, stressing the necessity for precise result compilation based on the authentic forms.
In a significant development, the PDP’s lead counsel, J S OKUTEPA SAN, declared the conclusion of their case, passing the baton to the defense of the first, second, and third respondents.
In response, Isiaka Dikko (SAN), representing the first respondent, INEC, expressed readiness for the defense. INEC is set to commence presenting their case on August 18, 2023.
As INEC readies its defense, the outcome of this legal battle holds the potential to reshape the political landscape of the state.
