As the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, keeps everyone waiting on the outcome of the conduct of the Mbaitoli/ Ikeduru Federal Constituency, the Sole Administrator of Mbaitoli LGA has opened up to state that no winner has emerged.
According to a statement issued Chukwukere C Philip (Chief Press Secretary to the Sole Administrator, Mbaitoli LGA) “We want to use this opportunity to intimate the good people of Mbaitoli and as well state the reasons why Mbaitoli/Ikeduru federal constituency seat was declared inconclusive by INEC.
“We observed the infinitesimal number of INEC manpower to conduct the election, wherein most polling unit do not have any electoral official to man the materials.
“Secondly, late arrival of election materials, the INEC did not provide enough logistics to ensure that electoral materials gets to the polling units on time, most polling units received their materials at few minutes past the hour of 4pm.
“Thirdly, malfunctioning of the BVAS machine and unskilled workers, we also got report that the BVAS machine was malfunctioning across Mbaitoli and some the INEC staff are unskilled to resolve the problem of the machine.
“All these factors put together disenfranchised many electorates.
“The Sole Administrator Mbaitoli LGA, Hamilton Chinasa Opara (Akurulo) is the Chief security officer of the largest local government area across the Niger and his prime responsibility is to ensure that the lives and properties within the council headquarters is protected. One cannot expect the Chief executive of the council to fold his arms and allow political thugs to invade the collation center which situates within the council headquarters.
“To all the naysayers who are hell-bent on portraying Hon Hamilton Chinasa Opara in a negative light should desist from such atrocious propaganda as Hon Hamilton Chinasa Opara is neither an INEC official or a security agent.
“Those who are castigating and threatening the Sole Administrator are either bereft of the personality of Hon Hamilton Chinasa Opara or the “never-do-well” who will not never allow the truth to be told. One thing is certain and sure, the Sole Administrator Mbaitoli LGA, Hon Hamilton Chinasa Opara (Akurulo) is not against any candidate or party.
“We therefore used this opportunity to encourage our people never to lose hope as we are making sure that everyone casts his/her vote and every vote is counted.
“The electorates complained to the electoral umpire of their disenfranchisement and the umpire in their wisdom and in accordance with the provisions of the electoral act, they declared the election inconclusive.
“Let us all remain resolute and wait for the INEC to release a new date for the rerun and we urge every eligible voters in the affected areas to come out en-masse and exercise their franchise, as we assure you of maximum security and ensure that your votes are protected”
