Kwara ACN To Challenge Results In Court

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Kwara State has vowed to contest in court, the results of the National Assembly elections released by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), while the victorious Poeple’s Democratic Party (PDP) commended the electorate for their massive support.

The ACN spokesman, Mr. Rafiu Ajakaiye, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin yesterday that the results released by INEC did not reflect the true votes of the electorate in the state.

He alleged that some of the agents of the party in Kwara South were arrested and locked up in vehicles while voting was in progress.

Ajakaiye said that in some local government areas such as Ifelodun, Ilorin East and Ilorin South, voting were still going on late in the night, “which was contrary to the electoral guidelines.”

He added that in some local government areas, the total number of votes cast far out-weighed the total number of accredited voters, noting that the results did not reflect what the ACN had from its agents.

Ajakaiye said the party had rejected the results and resolved to challenge the exercise in court.

In his reaction, the Public Relations Officer of All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP), Mr. Saheed Sanda, observed that the election was a reflection of the beginning of good things to come.

He told NAN that the election was free and fair, while the security agents were up to the task and did very well.

Sanda said the election was peaceful, free and fair, stressing that “it goes a long way to show that democracy in Nigeria has a brighter future”.

He explained that with the successful conduct of the election, the presidential candidate of the party, Mallam Ibrahim Shekerau’s chances of winning the presidential election next weekend was brighter.

Sanda noted that it was the desire of Nigerians that their votes should count, saying that the election had given hope to Nigerians that “we can conduct free and fair elections, notwithstanding a few shortcomings.”

The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) commended INEC for the conduct of the election, but urged the commission to correct some of the lapses, such as late arrival of materials, which prolonged voting in some areas.

Mr. Alashi Obasanjo, the Public Relations Officer of CPC in the state, told NAN that the heavy downpour in Kwara North Local Government Area affected some members of the party and prevented them from coming out to cast their votes.

He said the party would still sit down to analyse the election with a view to preparing for the presidential and governorship elections next Saturday and on 26 April respectively.

Obasanjo explained that the National Assembly election was not bad at all, because there was adequate security.

He explained that some party members could not find their names on the voter’s lists and were not subsequently allowed to vote, urging INEC to address some of the lapses noticed on Saturday.

The PDP Publicity Secretary in the state, Alhaji Isiaka Danmairomu, thanked all the supporters and followers of the party for their unalloyed support.

He said the party’s victory at the poll was victory for democracy and good governance.