#AbiaDecides2023: PDP seeks to use LGA result to boost margin to 90,000 votes - LP
The Labor Party (LP) gubernatorial candidate in Abia State, Alex Otti, has alleged that the state's People's Democratic Party (PDP) is seeking to use the government area results local Obingwa to increase the margin of more than 90,000 votes between the two parties.
Mr. Otti, at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, said he had garnered more than 171,000 votes from 16 local governments so far declared by INEC, with Okey Ahiwe of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) behind with about 80,000.
He claimed that the chairman of the Obingwa Local Government INEC was coerced into signing the doctored result under duress. He therefore urged INEC not to accept any results that are inconsistent with the BVAS data.
"The votes Labor got from the 16 local governments are over 171,000 and the PDP's under 80,000. So either way you turn it over and dice it.
“Even the number they wrote doesn’t have the backing of the law and can’t torpedo our victory. It’s also important to say that we believe INEC will do the right thing,” he said.
Mr. Otti said the introduction of the BVAS machine has demystified the voting strength of Obingwa local government and several others in the state.
“What happened this time around is that the BVAS demystified Obingwa local government in Abia State.
"You will recall that in 2015 when I first participated, it produced 82,000 votes from Obingwa to overturn the victory the Abia gave us.
"This time they want to do the same thing but the BVAS proved that there are no more than 30,000 votes. This is what we also proved in 2015 which led to our victory in the Court of Appeal, ”said the LP candidate.
Mr. Otti also disclosed that there is an ongoing deliberation at the INEC headquarters in Abuja between the senior ranks of INEC and the staff who oversaw the election in Abia State.
He said he is optimistic that the INEC will declare him the winner of the election.
"All other local governments that have been declared have used the BVAS machine for accreditation, we strongly believe that INEC will not change the rules in the middle of the race.
“I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to the people of Abia to remain peaceful and calm,” he said.
The INEC has confirmed that thugs invaded the Obingwa Local Government Area Commission office in Abia State during the collection of election results on Saturday
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The Labor Party (LP) gubernatorial candidate in Abia State, Alex Otti, has alleged that the state's People's Democratic Party (PDP) is seeking to use the government area results local Obingwa to increase the margin of more than 90,000 votes between the two parties.
Mr. Otti, at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, said he had garnered more than 171,000 votes from 16 local governments so far declared by INEC, with Okey Ahiwe of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) behind with about 80,000.
He claimed that the chairman of the Obingwa Local Government INEC was coerced into signing the doctored result under duress. He therefore urged INEC not to accept any results that are inconsistent with the BVAS data.
"The votes Labor got from the 16 local governments are over 171,000 and the PDP's under 80,000. So either way you turn it over and dice it.
“Even the number they wrote doesn’t have the backing of the law and can’t torpedo our victory. It’s also important to say that we believe INEC will do the right thing,” he said.
Mr. Otti said the introduction of the BVAS machine has demystified the voting strength of Obingwa local government and several others in the state.
“What happened this time around is that the BVAS demystified Obingwa local government in Abia State.
"You will recall that in 2015 when I first participated, it produced 82,000 votes from Obingwa to overturn the victory the Abia gave us.
"This time they want to do the same thing but the BVAS proved that there are no more than 30,000 votes. This is what we also proved in 2015 which led to our victory in the Court of Appeal, ”said the LP candidate.
Mr. Otti also disclosed that there is an ongoing deliberation at the INEC headquarters in Abuja between the senior ranks of INEC and the staff who oversaw the election in Abia State.
He said he is optimistic that the INEC will declare him the winner of the election.
"All other local governments that have been declared have used the BVAS machine for accreditation, we strongly believe that INEC will not change the rules in the middle of the race.
“I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to the people of Abia to remain peaceful and calm,” he said.
The INEC has confirmed that thugs invaded the Obingwa Local Government Area Commission office in Abia State during the collection of election results on Saturday
Support the integrity and credibility journalism of PREMIUM TIMES Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can guarantee the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy and a transparent government. For free and continued access to the best investigative journalism in the country, we ask that you consider providing modest support to this noble endeavour. By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you help sustain relevant journalism and keep it free and accessible to everyone.Donate
TEXT ANNOUNCEMENT: Call Willie - +2348098788999
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