APC Lampoons Governor Fintiri For Usurping INEC’s Duty
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the people of Edo State and Nigerians at large to remain calm and wait for the official results from the only body authorized to release them INEC.
The party is calling on all Nigerians to disregard what it called the illegal and baseless announcement made by Governor Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, and a group of his colleagues from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), regarding the outcome of the Edo State gubernatorial election.
According to the APC, in a shocking display of impunity, Governor Fintiri, earlier today, Sunday, September 22, 2024, held a press conference to declare what he falsely called the results of the Edo election, which took place on Saturday, September 21, 2024 describing the act as reckless and unlawful which is nothing more than an attempt to disrupt the democratic process and incite chaos.
The party condemned in strong term this disgraceful move, saying it is a blatant violation of Nigeria’s democratic principles and a direct assault on the rule of law.
It said Governor Fintiri has no authority whatsoever to announce or collate any election result as the responsibility rests solely with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as established by law.
The party opined that the action is a calculated attempt to create tension and instability in Edo State, and to undermine the peaceful conclusion of the electoral process and called on security agencies to act swiftly and decisively to ensure that peace is maintained and the integrity of the electoral process upheld.
It said Fintiri’s illegal announcement follows another alarming event, where Governor Godwin Obaseki attempted to disrupt the election by invading INEC’s office in Benin City but was forced to retreat in the early hours of Sunday after strong protests from APC leaders.
A statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Barrister Felix Morka, noted the duty to conduct, collate, and announce election results lies solely with INEC, as provided by the Electoral Act, 2022, and the Nigerian Constitution as such, by attempting to usurp INEC’s lawful authority, Governor Fintiri has clearly violated the law in a bid to manipulate the election and mislead the public the statement alleged.
The statement wondered how Governor Fintiri, who had benefitted from the same electoral process, would stoop so low as to undermine the integrity of the system he once relied upon to gain office describing his actions as a sad reflection of the lengths to which some politicians will go to gain a partisan advantage.
It clarified that the so-called election results announced by Governor Fintiri are completely fake, fabricated, and must be ignored.
