Bauchi guber poll: APC won’t accept INEC’s position – Nabena

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Yekini Nabena, has said his party rejected in its entirety the position taken by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding the governorship inconclusive election in Bauchi state, accusing the Festus Okoye-led committe of evil plot against the ruling party.

The electoral body had ealier declared the governorship election inconclusive and set a date for rerun but suddenly changed the decision based on the reports submitted by a committee headed by Festus Okoye to investigate the issue.

Speaking with newsmen on Sunday in Abuja, APC’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, said his party has rejected the decision taken by the INEC on the governorship election results from Tafawa Balewa local government area.

Nabena said the position taken by INEC contravened the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.

“Considering the letters and spirit of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended), and the INEC Guidelines for 2019 General Elections, INEC is not empowered to reverse any decision taken at the Collation Center by the Returning Officer appointed for that purpose.

“Such decisions can only be reversed by a Court of law, especially when INEC cannot approbate and reprobate,”the party stated.

The party also accused the Festus Okoye-led committee of denying it fair hearing as its agent were not invited during the hearing to ascertain the circumstances leading to the cancellation of the Tafawa Balewa local government election result.

“The composition of the committee is also questionable as the Committee chairman, Festus Okoye Esq, is a close ally of and ex-personal Solicitor of Hon. Yakubu Dogara of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“No justice can be done by the committee chairman who is interested in the whole issues and the instant circumstances,” he said.

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