Melaye Demands a ‘Total Cancellation’ of the ‘Shameful’ Kogi Governorship Election
Dino Melaye has asked for the cancellation of the Kogi State governorship election, calling the process “shameful.”
This was said by the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate in the election during a press conference in Lokoja on Sunday, just as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was collating election results.
“I will begin by completely denouncing the conduct of the elections yesterday and outright calling for the election to be cancelled since it was not an election,” the PDP candidate said.
“It is disgusting that the dysfunctional INEC refuses to acknowledge, mitigate, or palliate the difficulties they produced in the last presidential and governorship elections.”
“There was no election yesterday in the five local governments of Kogi State’s central senatorial district.” Surprisingly, accreditation was done manually rather than via the BVAS. Prepared sheets appeared even before accreditation, and evidence may be seen all over the media.
“As a result, INEC must cancel the election as soon as possible.” My agents were advised there were no available result sheets to enter the result in several regions where I won, and we have documentation to back up these assertions.
“As I speak to you, it is a disgrace that this is what our democracy has devolved to.” INEC has demonstrated that they cannot be trusted, that they are biassed, that they are compromised, and that they cannot act as a neutral arbiter.
“INEC officials and youth corps members were apprehended yesterday with prepared result sheets even before the proceedings began.” A member of the youth corps was apprehended with a prepared result and N1 million in his luggage.”
Melaye’s remark came just hours after social media was flooded with Kogi governorship election results, even before the polls opened.
However, the commission was quick to respond, promising Nigerians that the matter will be investigated.
“Our attention has been brought to a report that filled-out result sheets were discovered in some polling stations in Kogi State,” the commission stated in a statement on X. “The Commission takes this matter seriously.”