THE Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate in the Kogi governorship election, Dino Melaye, has raised the alarm over allegations of forged results sheets in the Ogori Mangogo area of the state.
In a brief voice statement released on Saturday, November 11, via its X handle, Melaye expressed deep concern over the allegations, noting that the residents of the Ogori Mangogo have insisted on not voting due to the incident.
Melaye described the action as a threat to the election’s credibility and further accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of refusing to work within the confine of its Act.
The PDP candidate also called on his agents and residents to resist any voting process if the officials of INEC refused to show them plain result sheets.
Melaye’s claim came a few minutes after YIAGA Africa called on INEC to investigate the allegations of result manipulation in the area.
The ICIR reported that the organisation expressed deep concern over the integrity of the electoral process and the potential implications of any malpractices on democracy in the state.
Yiaga Africa raised the alarm via its X handle, stating that it received a report of a pre-filled results sheet discovered in PU 004, Eni ward of Ogori/Magongo in Kogi state before the commencement of voting.
The INEC reacted to the post via its X handle.
It wrote, “Our attention has been drawn to a report that filled result sheets were discovered in some polling units in Kogi State. The Commission views this situation seriously.
“Our senior officials deployed to the state are currently investigating the incident(s). The commission will communicate its decision earnestly.”
Melaye is one of the 18 candidates cleared by INEC to vie for the governorship seat in the election.
Other leading candidates are Muritala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Ododo Usman Ahmed of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Leke Abejide of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The election in Kogi is one of the three off-cycle governorship polls held today.
Other two states having the election are Imo and Bayelsa.
Usman Mustapha is a solution journalist with International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: umustapha@icirnigeria.com. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M