…Alleges APC National Chairman Used Private Jet, Ignoring Movement Restrictions on Election Day
Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has raised concern over the survival of democracy in Nigeria, accusing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of partisanship, favouring the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate in the Edo State Governorship Election, Monday Okpebholo.
As chair of the Edo PDP National Campaign Council, Governor Fintiri claimed that the APC, in collusion with certain INEC officials and security personnel, manipulated the election process.
He alleged that the APC fabricated results to benefit its candidate, Okpebholo.”The results collected from the polling units showed Asue Ighodalo in a clear lead until the state collation exercise was seized by the APC,” he stated earlier on Sunday.
Okpebholo was subsequently declared the winner of the election by INEC.
Expressing his dismay after INEC returning officer Farouk Adamu announced Okpebholo’s victory, Fintiri lamented the outcome.
In a post on his official X account, Fintiri said, “I weep for Nigeria’s democracy after witnessing the shameful Edo Gubernatorial poll. The @OfficialAPCNg’s desperate attempts to discredit me by falsely claiming I announced results won’t distract from the real issue. I merely shared results from INEC’s Irev portal, as collated by INEC from the various Local Government Areas.
“What’s truly shameful is APC’s national chairman flying into Edo with a private jet on election day, defying movement restrictions, while their Governors used armoured escorts to intimidate voters.
“This blatant disregard for democratic norms is the real brigandage. Nigerians are outraged, slamming @inecnigeria for compromising and favouring APC. The reported vote-buying, disruption of collation processes, and suspicious results with more votes than accredited voters undermine trust in our democracy.
“Democracy indeed is under attack. We must condemn this rape of democracy and demand accountability. The world is watching, and Nigeria deserves better.”
