2019 Presidential Elections Results Falsified – Coalition Of Observers

BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – The Coalition of INEC accredited Civil Society and Non-Governmental Organisations has noted with dismay what it described as the unprecedented affront in the falsification of the just concluded Presidential election results in Nigeria due to massive falsification of figures during collation.

It was also condemned in strong term, the abduction, intimidation and harassment of staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and electorates and wide spread violence across the country.

A statement signed Yunusa Ibrahim and Umuren Esieme for the Accredited Observers Groups for Civil Society Organizations, said they have evidences of varying degrees that results from different states of the Federation were mutilated, falsified and changed to sooth the candidate of the APC, President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Observers stressed that the process where state election results were doctored to sooth President Buhari is therefore regrettable and unacceptable, adding that they are of the firm belief that President Muhammadu Buhari is the greatest beneficiary of a transparent, free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria and as such should sustain same template across the country.

The groups therefore called on the international community, the media, Foreign and Domestic Observers to urgently save the Nigerian democracy which is on transit to death.

The Coalition observed that there were instances of lack or unavailability of the police for escort the ad-hoc staff and sensitive materials (Form EC8A and ballot papers) to designated polling units.

It noted that the role of the military in elections and consequent rule of engagement in elections were clearly and consistently violated, adding that the military in states like Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Imo, Cross River, Kogi, Kano, etc, order electorates, observer, some party agents out of collation centres for the sole aim of falsification of results in favour of a preferred candidate.

The Coalition said; “This is an aberration of modern democratic tenets. In some instances in Akwa Ibom state, Rivers, Imo, Cross River, Kogi, Kano, etc, the law enforcement agent were observed fire sporadically into the air and snatching ballot boxes away themselves.

“Again, in the full glare of the military and the IGP squad of the Nigerian police, hoodlums loyal to Senator Akpabio assaulted Foreign and Domestic observers in Ukana, Essien Udium LGA of Akwa Ibom state, seizing and destroying their Tabs, phones and other personal effects. Some of the victims are still in the hospital receiving urgent medical attention as at the time of this briefing.

“The Smart Card Reader (SCR) were not used in several polling units across the country. This was as a result of threat to life by thugs and hoodlums engaged by some desperate politicians.

“Sadly, most of the results which emanated from a process in clear violation of the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2010 as Amended were collated, declared and a winner emerged.

“We have also observed the increase in the number of deaths during the 2019 General Elections as against the number of deaths in 2015 General elections. A total of 12 Nigerians lost their lives during the 2015 General Elections. These 12 persons died as a result of Boko Haram attack. In 2019 Presidential and National Assembly Elections, 30 Nigerians were murdered in cold blood on election day as a result of election related violence. This we consider as saddening and alarming in a context supposedly civil and democratic,” the Coalition of Observers said.

The Observers while giving original election result for the study of the members of the public, said it seems that Nigeria is transiting backwards to the dark ages of a near anarchy situation.

The groups further said; “We wish to state categorically clear that the lacuna and shortcomings observed in the 2019 General Election is as a result of persistent aberration consequent to the inability of law enforcement agencies to comply with the necessary electoral reforms in line with International Standards, rule of engagement, the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as Amended), and the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 as Amended.

“This re occurring decimal has become malignant in the performance index of the Law enforcement agencies in Nigeria en route free, fair, transparent and credible elections in Nigeria.

It urged Nigerians to reject the results of the Presidential elections in the interest of equity and fairness.