Representatives of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) said that they refused to sign the 2011 presidential result sheets as compiled by INEC because they noticed some irregularities.
Besides the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), it was only the representatives of ACN and CPC that were in attendance at the National Collation Centre as party agents out of the 20 participating candidates.
CPC agent, Hadi Sirika, said the party observed electoral fraud in both South East and South South.
He said the party hierarchy had submitted a copy of its petition to the Chairman of INEC, Prof Attahiru Jega, who also doubled as the Chief Returning officer of the Presidential poll.
Sirika, a CPC senator-elect from Katsina, said the leadership of the party would hold a crucial meeting where its next line of action would be discussed.
Speaking in the same vein, ACN agent Garba Abari, said he refused to sign the result sheets because “we have issues with the result especially those coming from the South East and South-South of the country’’.
“From the reports we received from our agents on the field, as well as print and electronic media alongside interim reports of the observers, there were low voter turnout there and the result being returned are in excess of 98 per cent,’’ he alleged.
Abari said that “after due consultations, we will let the international community as well as the observers know about our next line of action.’’
Commenting on the outcome of the presidential election result, PDP agent, Rep Phillip Aduda expressed happiness with the outcome and thanked Nigerians for reposing their confidence in the party.
Aduda, FCT Senator-elect said “I am happy at the turn of event. This is democracy in action. We thank God that it was free, fair and credible’’
“PDP as a party will carry everybody along, irrespective of party affiliations; Nigeria is greater than any individual. We must put all our hands on deck and work together for its, development’’ Aduda said.
INEC Chairman Attahiru Jega on Monday declared President Goodluck Jonathan as the winner of the presidential poll conducted on Saturday April 16.
The INEC boss said Jonathan scored the highest votes having polled 22,495,187 as against Muhammadu Buhari of CPC, his closest rival, who scored 12, 214,853 votes.
In its post election reaction, Human Rights Writers Association (HURIWA) said results of the presidential poll to some extent reflected the choice of most Nigerians.
A human rights group, whose statement was signed by its National co-ordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko said fratricidal fight and conflicts, arising from the announcement of the outcome of the exercise must be brought under control.
“Law abiding citizens must be protected from physical violence, even as rioters must be arrested and prosecuted forthwith to stop the violence from spreading’’ he said. (NAN)
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Link:
Why we refused to sign presidential result sheets — CPC, ACN