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President of the Senate and chairman, People's Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Council on Osun State Gubernatorial Election, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has faulted the declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that the election results were inconclusive.
Saraki,
in a statement signed by him, expressed dismay over the decision
by INEC to declare as "inconclusive" an election in which a
candidate won the highest number of votes and fulfilled the condition
for geographical spread.
"In
my lay man's opinion, the INEC was wrong in declaring the election as
inconclusive because the votes in certain polling units were
cancelled. The decision of INEC to cancel the election in those areas
after voting had taken place means INEC had already excluded the
votes in these areas from the election process and therefore those
units should have no place in the overall results. My opinion would
have been different if the election in the affected units did not
take place at all, may be as a result of malfunctioning of the card
reader machine or unavailability of the electoral materials. Since
the voting took place and was cancelled, only the courts could
reverse the initial decision by INEC to cancel the votes in these
areas.
"That
is why I call on our party and its candidate to seek further legal
interpretation on this decision by the electoral body. One cannot but
wonder whether if the places were reversed and the candidate of the
ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is the one leading in the
election, the INEC will take the same decision it has taken now.
“At
this point, it is necessary to also call on INEC to display courage,
boldness, independence, neutrality and patriotism so as to send
signals to the world at large that Nigerian electoral system has come
of age and that our democracy has matured. The electoral body needs
to re-assure all and sundry that the 2019 election and other
elections will be free of manipulations and undue interference.
"The
INEC should note that the Osun gubernatorial election is not only
about that South-western state. It is about our country and the
entire world is watching. Our national interest is at stake. The
integrity of our electoral system is at stake. The reputation of the
electoral body is at stake. The future of our democracy is on the
line. The way INEC conclusively handles the Osun election will
determine global expectations from our political process. It should
therefore ensure that the wish of the Osun State electorate
eventually prevail.
"I
praise the dedication and hard work of PDP supporters and the
candidate of the party, Senator Ademola Adeleke. They have remained
steadfast, resilient, focused and determined.
"Let
me also commend all the other contestants in yesterday's election for
their gallant efforts because it is clear they are all working for
the same objective from different perspectives and platforms to
ensure that the era of mis-governance, pain, injustice and
insensitivity to the plight of the common people comes to an end. It
is our hope that they will all co-operate with Senator Adeleke to
ensure that Osun State witnesses a development-oriented era.
"Let
me remind our party supporters and the good people of Osun State that
this INEC decision constitute only a delay of the victory of Senator
Ademola Adeleke and the PDP in Osun Gubernatorial election, as our
triumph will come either through the judiciary or a further
balloting.
“I
thank PDP supporters and the general public in Osun State and note
that we got to this point after many months of hard work,
determination and focus. We should not despair and not lose our focus
and determination to ensure that the final results reflect the will
of the Osun people.
“Our
party is ahead, despite the irregularities. Our people must remain
resilient to see this through to the finish. Now is the time to
re-strategize, reach out to all the other candidates and their
supporters, build on our lead, and bring this election home.
"Our
supporters and the entire people of Osun State should remain calm and
maintain peace as we move forward to see the successful completion of
the electoral process. “Once again, I thank all supporters of
the PDP and the people of Osun State who stayed up all night, both
physically and on social media to monitor the numbers and protect our
votes. We remain undeterred, and we all remain determined to ensure
that Senator Ademola Adeleke becomes the next Governor of Osun
State", Saraki stated.
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