BY: Justice Godfry
Scores of protesters from Ondo West/ East local government areas of the State on Tuesday barricaded headquarters of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for several hours to demand the cancellation of the results of the March 9, Assembly polls.
The protesters, led by Chief Segun Adegoke and the lawmaker, Ifedayo Akinsoyinu, rejected the victory of All Progressives Congress(APC) and Zenith Labour Party(ZLP) in the three constituencies in the two local government areas in Ondo.
They alleged the victories were secured through over voting, non-use of card reader machines, harassment of voters and other electoral irregularities.
The gate of INEC office was shut and security operatives were stationed around the complex to monitor the protests.
The protesters carried placards with various inscriptions: “Our people were maimed” and “INEC stop playing God.”
Others were: “INEC a collaborator to rigging in Ondo Kingdom,” “INEC must cancel MHA result election in Ondo Kingdom,” “Akeredolu empowers youths as thugs, to mention few”.
The protesters said their candidates would approach election petition tribunals if INEC refused to address their grievances on time.
They vowed to pursue what they called injustice to the Supreme Court.
Reacting, Ondo state Chairman of the ZLP, Wale Gbakinro and APC State Publicity Secretary, Alex Kalejaye, described the allegations of the protesters as unfounded
Gbekinro said: “We advise them to stop the mischievous tendencies and approach the court of competent jurisdiction to seek legal redress if they genuinely have any case.
“Our party is focused on delivering on our campaign promises and our goal is continue to raise Ondo state to an enviable height as we have always done.”
Kalejaye, on his part, said: “We encourage the PDP to grow up and quit the realm of bad losers.
“They should learn to accept defeat without sulking and support the sincere efforts by the Oluwarotimi Akeredolu-led government to enhance a solid economic growth in the State”.
•Source: The Nation