The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the Ondo State governorship election, Agboola Ajayi, has called for the resignation of the national chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, if he cannot conduct free and fair elections.
He also accused soldiers of intimidating voters by setting up checkpoints about 10 metres away from his polling unit.
The PDP candidate made this statement after casting his vote at Apoi 11, Unit 004 Kiribo. He claimed that field reports reaching him showed the election was a shambolic exercise.
He lamented that the election was marred by irregularities, based on reports from field agents.
He said, “The system is not perfect; things are not working, and it took more than 10 minutes before the BVAS could accredit me as the PDP candidate. There are lots of issues across the state.
“If INEC cannot successfully organise an election in just one state, then we are heading towards anarchy in Nigeria.
“I have been receiving reports from across the state, and it’s the same. Including me, I am a victim here in my unit. I want to say this is deliberate on the part of the REC and INEC. Don’t forget we have previously stated that we don’t trust Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, the REC; she can’t be fair.”
“The system is compromised, and there are complaints everywhere in the state, including vote-buying and BVAS not working. Don’t forget the machine is a rigging tool for them. This is a very shameful exercise, and I think Nigerians should call on INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu. If he can’t do the job, he should honourably resign because the system is totally compromised. This is sad.
“Under Professor Jega as INEC Chairman, our electoral process was improving toward international standards, but Professor Yakubu has set us back.”