“We have evidence” — Kogi SDP warns INEC on Election rigging

The governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kogi State, Muritala Ajaka, has raised concerns and criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for alleged manipulation in the state’s gubernatorial election.

Speaking on Channels Television’s ‘The Verdict’ program for off-cycle governorship elections on Sunday, Ajaka accused INEC of compromising the electoral process through its officials deployed to the state. He claimed that there was evidence of results sheets being prepared before the start of the election.

Ajaka, who is aiming to oust the All Progressives Congress (APC) from power in the state, expressed disappointment in INEC’s handling of the election. He suggested that the team sent by INEC to the state might have compromised the integrity of the process.

The SDP candidate asserted that results sheets were already distributed across Kogi Central before the election began, and the party has presented evidence to support these claims.

Acknowledging the security provided during the election, Ajaka appreciated President Bola Tinubu for ensuring a secure environment. However, he insisted that the compromise occurred at the level of INEC officials sent to Kogi state.

As the electoral process unfolds, 18 out of the 21 local government area results have been collated. INEC has announced a supplementary election in 59 polling units in the state scheduled for November 18.

In terms of the current results, the SDP candidate is trailing behind his APC counterpart, Usman Ododo.