TheCable

The Nigeria Civil Society Central Coordinating Council has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove Sylvia Agu as the resident electoral commissioner (REC) for Imo state.

The civil society organisation (CSO) alleged that the REC sided with the All Progressives Congress (APC) during house of assembly elections.

INEC had declared APC winner of Ideato north and south house seats in the Imo assembly.

In a statement on Wednesday, Obed Agu, the CSO’s coordinator, said according to results uploaded to the INEC website, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won Ideato north, while Accord Party won Ideato south.

“From the results sheets uploaded on INEC server www.inecelectionresults.ng for Ideato North, APC scored 3,969, Labour Party 2079 and PDP 5,018. In Ideato south, the Accord Party scored 3989, APC 3053, LP 2471 and PDP 1180,” Agu said.

“It is shameful that INEC conducted election in both local government areas and PDP and Accord Party scored highest votes, results was announced at the polling units apart from Ndimoke ward in Ideato north where election didn’t hold because of insecurity and Ugbelle ward in Ideato south where INEC staff was kidnapped.

“All results were uploaded on the INEC IREV platform but the electoral body has not allowed the winners to be declared but rather those who lost and ran away with the declaration sheet, claiming to have won now want to have their way.

“How can INEC justify a clear victory that is evidenced by BVAS accreditation and IREV uploaded results and still the issues have not been resolved?

“The REC should be recalled for her criminal involvement and obstruction of credible elections. This is the only way to prove the headquarters is not part of the shameful electoral outing in Imo state.”

The coordinator said Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairman, should send an independent team of senior staff to resolve the issue.