Supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) staged a protest at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office, calling for the cancellation of election results from Opu-Nembe and Nembe Bassambiri in Nembe Local Government Area. They alleged that PDP members were disenfranchised, and manipulated results were being submitted by the opposition party.
The protesters, who peacefully marched through the streets of Yenagoa, expressed concerns over the reported disenfranchisement and electoral malpractice in Nembe-Bassambiri during the off-cycle governorship election held on Saturday.
During the protest, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Obo Effanga, addressed the aggrieved demonstrators. Additionally, the Bayelsa State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Biriyai Sambo SAN, highlighted the challenges faced by PDP members in Nembe-Bassambiri.
Biriyai Sambo SAN recounted the events, stating, “On November 10, a large number of our members, escorted by security personnel, headed to Nembe but were obstructed by the SWAT and alleged APC youths. Our members were threatened and tear gas was deployed, preventing them from exercising their voting rights. Despite this, manipulated results emerged on social media, raising questions about the fairness of the electoral process.”
He emphasized, “We are not here to discredit INEC but to urge them to uphold the principles of democracy and ensure free and fair elections. Our demand is simple – fairness and transparency in the electoral process. Every eligible voter should have the opportunity to cast their ballot.”
Addressing the concerns raised by the protesters, INEC assured that units where the Bimodal Voter Automated System (BVAS) was not utilized would be nullified. Mr. Wilfred Ifogah, representing the INEC REC, affirmed the Commission’s commitment to upholding the integrity of the electoral process and ensuring that all legitimate votes are counted.
This demonstration underscores the significance of transparency and fairness in the electoral process, reflecting the determination of PDP stakeholders to protect the democratic rights of the electorate. As the situation unfolds, it remains imperative for stakeholders to uphold the tenets of democracy, promoting a level playing field for all participants in the electoral arena.
