INEC says it’s ready for Olusola at the election tribunal

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has told Prof. Kolapo Olusola, the Peoples Democratic Party candidate at the gubernatorial election in Ekiti State to head for the election tribunal if he wants.

Eleka had threatened to challenge the result in court as soon as INEC declared APC’s Fayemi as the winner of the keenly contested election.

Also, Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose faulted the outcome of the poll describing Fayemi’s victory as temporary, adding that it would be upturned at the tribunal.

He alleged that nobody was rejoicing in the state, asking why people were not celebrating if the result reflected the will of the people.

INEC however insisted that the result of the election was a reflection of the will of the people.

The agency’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mr. Wole Osaze-Uzzi, said: “INEC welcomes the decision of Prof. Eleka to go to the tribunal on the outcome of the governorship election. That is the proper thing to do.

“Legal process is a better resort than making inciting statements and engaging in media trial. We welcome judicial intervention on disputes arising from the election. Just like in the case of Edo State, it is left to Eleka to prove his case before the tribunal.”

Osaze-Uzzi also rated the outcome of the election as “good and a fair reflection of the will of the people of Ekiti State”. “Even international and local observers rated the conduct of the poll as good,” he said, adding:

“We have been receiving preliminary reports from the accredited Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). Most of those in the so-called Coalition of Civil Society Groups were not accredited for the poll by INEC.

“The materials and logistics were on spot and accreditation of voters started as and when due in more than 92 per cent of the polling units.”

Responding to a question, Osaze-Uzzi said: “INEC is yet to have a post-mortem session on the poll but we have received oral briefing from some of our National Commissioners and others on ground.

“Certainly, we will hold a post-mortem meeting when all officials are fully back.”