TheCable

A group of All Progressives Congress (APC) members in Kogi state has asked Murtala Ajaka, governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), in the November 11 election, to accept defeat.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced Usman Ododo, candidate of the APC, as the winner.

Ododo polled 446, 237 votes to defeat Ajaka, who came second with 259,052 votes while Dino Melaye, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), scored 46,362 votes.

While Ajaka said he would challenge Ododo’s victory at the tribunal, Melaye said he would not head to court.

On Wednesday, INEC said a mob invaded its headquarters in Lokoja, Kogi state capital and prevented lawyers of political parties that lost in the poll to inspect the materials used for the conduct of the election.

However, Jimoh Suleiman, who spoke on behalf of the group on Friday, said the security agencies should tell Ajaka to accept defeat.

“We are here this morning to address the press that Kogi state is peaceful. The election we held, INEC conducted a free and fair election and we want to support what INEC has done that everybody should go in peace in the society,” Suleiman said.

“We don’t want problems. A lot of people, individuals who want to assess the INEC materials, we don’t want them to have access to it.

“What we are saying here today is that the election is credible, free, and fair. Anybody can go to an election and lose. We want the society, the security agencies to help us talk to Ajaka.

“No individual is above the law, he cannot take law into his hands. We heard what he is trying to do, to access the INEC office so he can manipulate his way. Election has come and we have won, APC has won gallantly.

“The message is clear: the security agencies should talk to Ajaka and let him accept defeat.”

Inspecting election materials is a prerequisite to filing a case in a tribunal against an election.