Loading ...From Msughshima Andrew, Makurdi
The All Progressives Congress, APC has stated that it will explore all constitutional and legal options available to ensure the votes of the people count as it will not accept a stolen election.
The Secretary, Jime/ Ode Campaign Organisation, Prof. Eugene Aliegba made this known in a press statement made available to newsmen in Makurdi.
Our correspondent reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), after completing the collation of results in the Benue supplementary elections, declared Dr Samuel Ortom of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, winner of the 2019 governorship election.
The APC has therefore stared that they will make a case before the Elections Petitions Tribunal to subject the Benue governorship elections result to an integrity test.
Prof Aliegba noted that when the party was going into the contest, “we were well aware of the fact that only one of two outcomes were possible; either we won fairly in line with the massive support we earned from the people; or another winner emerged through a credible and transparent process.
“We did not anticipate a third option that confers advantage to those who played dubiously outside the laid down rules of the game.
“And because the results announced in favour of Governor Ortom and the PDP is a direct product of brutal violence, vote buying, ballot-stuffing, results-falsification, non use of the card reader and a range of other irregularities that have no place in our electoral laws, we are making it unequivocally clear that the Benue APC will explore all constitutional and legal options available to ensure the votes of the people count.
“In simple terms, we will make a case before the Elections Petitions Tribunal to subject the Benue governorship elections result to an integrity test.”
Aliegba said if the Benue APC opt otherwise, the party will be as guilty as those who undertake acts that undermine democracy adding that they have rather chosen to take action that insulates democracy from practices that threaten it.
He therefore urged APC supporters to exhibit the highest level of calmness, even in the face of provocation, until victory is achieved.
He thanked the Benue electorate foe coming out in their numbers to oarticipate in the national and state elections, including the supplementary polls despite the challenges, hiccups and irregularities witnessed in the run up to and during the polls.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those who were victims of the needless violence that characterised the conduct of the polls in Benue. As a peace loving party, we are saddened by reports of casualties, in some cases fatalities, and condemn such barbaric violence visited on voters and electoral officers in what ought to be a peaceful exercise.
“To our supporters and all those who filed out to vote for the Jime/Ode ticket, we extend our deepest gratitude for all they gave to our aspiration…They have our full assurance that as a party that believes in democracy, we will not accept a stolen election.
