The All Progressives Congress (APC) Candidate for Aba Federal Constituency in last Saturday’s election, Hon. Mascot Uzor Kalu, has petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the conduct of the Feb. 23 National Assembly election in the constituency, Igbere TV reports.
Here’s a copy of the press statement and copies of the petition as obtained by Igbere TV on Thursday.
PETITION ON THE CONDUCT OF GENERAL ELECTION IN ABA FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY.
I, Hon. Mascot Uzor Kalu the All Progressive Congress (APC) Candidate for Aba Federal Constituency do humbly write to express my rejection on the way and manner the general election was conducted in Aba North and South Local Government Area. The exercise was marred by violence and poor collation which made it possible for results to be doctored and returned very late the following day.
Most unit results were not submitted by the Polling Officers while some were missing as a pandemonium at the collation centers, security agents and the Electoral Officer for Aba North and South can attest to it.
There are over 100 (hundred) units that was either not seen or doctored, the reports of the collation officers and the Courageous and truthful statement of the Chief Returning Officer, Professor Iwe. O Madu, for Aba Federal Constituency “ I have not converted 10 to 100 or 20 to 200 and I do not receive bribe, I am here to make sure things are done orderly, but it is unfortunate that we have issues witnessed by myself of mutilated results, card readers been smuggled into the collation centre, polling officers absconding with results turning them in late, late arrival of voting materials even by 3pm on Saturday at voting centres, most P.O’s abandoning their result materials, coming back late the next day, after going to unknown places and altering the result. It can only be said that with the currently security situation and all these issues this election cannot be trusted, uphold. Therefore, I cannot announce any result.”
The above official announcement of INEC returning officer was witnessed by PDP, APC, APGA ward and L.G.A’s collation agents. It was also said in the presence of D.S.S, E.O’s of L.G.A’s. Police, Civil Defense and many others.
In the light of the above, I thank the courage of the returning officer Prof. Iwe O. Madu and hereby stand by his decision that the Aba North and South House of Representative election cannot be upheld and is cancelled.
We believe in your capacity to do the right thing.
Accept my warmest regards.
Signed:
Hon. Mascot Uzor Kalu
APC Candidate for Aba Federal Constituency
Cc: Directorate of State Security DSS
Resident Electoral Commissioner for Abia State.
Commissioner of Police Abia State.
Electoral Officer -Aba North
Electoral Officer Aba South
NB: Attached to this letter are affected wards, units and total number of Registered voters just to mention a few.
