APC Puts Kogi REC, SDP Candidate On The Spot Over ‘Sponsored’ Inspection Of Election Materials

The All Progressives Congress, APC in Kogi State has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to suspend its Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC in the state, Mr Hale Gabriel Longpet alleging, a collaboration between him and the Social Democratic Party, SDP to alter election records and materials of the November, 2023 governorship election.

The APC in a statement made available to GWG.ng cited a memo from the Kogi REC and his subordinates ordering INEC staff to avail themselves for inspection of election materials on the condition that the logistics of the exercise would be provided by the SDP.

Expressing outrage over the move by a party candidate to fund an election duty, the APC said that it showed the desperation of some INEC officials and the SDP to compromise the election process.

The APC in the statement issued by Hon Femi Fanwo, spokesperson of the Kogi APC Campaign also observed that the inspection of the election materials was being planned against court orders and even without the involvement of the APC.

“It must also be noted that till date, the said Order for inspection granted on 25/11/2023 has not been served on the winner of that election, Alhaji Usman Ododo and the APC who are listed as parties in the said Order of Court.

“Most importantly is the fact that the Petition in respect of which the order of inspection was initially sought and granted was filed on the 2nd of December 2023 with the SDP and its candidate admitting at paragraph 92 of the contentious Petition that INEC had given them documents contained in the Order which included Voters Register, BVAS Accreditation Reports and Result Sheets.

“With the above background in mind, It is therefore shocking to learn that the REC of INEC in Kogi State, who works for a body which has asked a Court to set aside the Ex-parte Order for inspection it made, is now organizing an inspection exercise in Abuja for the SDP and its Candidate, an exercise which is fully and financially sponsored by the SDP and its candidate. Specifically, the REC sent out the following messages to affected Staff of INEC in Kogi State:

“Good evening everyone and compliment of the season.

“I have just been contacted by the legal team of the SDP regarding the inspection of the election materials for the November 11th Governorship Election.

“They said that they had communicated to the Commission that they would like to start the inspection with Adavi, Okehi and Okene.

“They are ready to be responsible for the logistics and accommodation of the EOs and the HOD EOPs and ICT who must be at the Inspection as directed.

“Please convey this information to the affected officials.

As for the logistics, Barrister Olowo who has been dealing with us will provide the funds.

“Please ensure that all officers and HODs mentioned are in attendance for the inspection.

Admin Sec. Co-ordinate.

Thanks”.

REC.

The message was followed up by another request sent at the instance of the REC as follows:

“Inline with the above, I have been directed to inform the HODs (Ops&ICT) HoU Logistics and Electoral officers of Adavi, Okehi and Okene LGA to avail themselves at the Commission’s Headquarter, Abuja on 4th Jan, 2024 for the inspection, scheduled to hold by 9am to 6pm.

“Pls treat this as urgent”.

HoD Legal Services

For: REC

The above messages no doubt shows the desperation of the Kogi State Resident Electoral Commissioner and the Social Democratic Party, its Candidate, and their cohorts. “

GWG.ng reports that the Kogi REC and the SDP are yet to respond to the issues over the election materials.

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