Former deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olabode George, has expressed his disappointment with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for reverting to a manual system of vote collation. This decision follows the reported failure of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, which was intended to facilitate the seamless electronic transmission of election results into INEC’s server. George criticized this move as unacceptable, equating it to a regression to a time when election results were manipulated between polling units and collation centers. He made these remarks during a press conference in Lagos on Monday, in response to the presidential election held on Saturday.
George described the situation as a “most despicable shameful act,” particularly given the prior certification of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for the transmission of results. He noted that the system had been successfully tested in a mock process conducted by INEC before the election, as well as during the governorship elections in Ekiti, Anambra, and Osun. He questioned how INEC could discredit the system at such a critical time, expressing concern that the commission might be attempting to support the current APC government, which Nigerians have shown a desire to reject through their votes.
He highlighted specific concerns regarding the reported 50,000 votes secured by Tinubu in Ikorodu, questioning the legitimacy of such figures. George emphasized that this situation is a significant embarrassment for both Nigerians and the international community, which had hoped that Nigeria, as the giant of Africa and the most populous black nation, had finally found a solution to its long-standing electoral issues. He lamented that the country appears to be regressing to a disgraceful past, undermining the efforts of developed nations like the United States, which have invested substantial financial and material resources into Nigeria’s electoral process.
George further criticized the reversal of established electoral reforms, which are enshrined in the Electoral Act, calling it a significant setback for the nation. He expressed concern that the international community, which has invested millions in Nigeria’s electoral integrity, would be bewildered by the actions of the electoral body. He asserted that a nation should not be defined by narrow interests but should encompass common goals, shared values, and collective destinies. He stressed that building a great nation requires inclusivity, meritocracy, and equal opportunities for all citizens.
In light of these issues, George called on the international community, particularly those observing the elections, to condemn the political malfeasance being perpetrated by INEC. He demanded that the ongoing collation of presidential and national assembly election results be conducted electronically, as previously outlined by INEC. He urged the commission not to yield to any pressure to alter results from polling units, emphasizing that the chairman of INEC, who has sworn an oath to ensure a free, fair, and credible electoral process, would be judged by history. George concluded by stating that if pressured to alter election results, the INEC chairman should publicly voice his concerns or resign from his position.
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