The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nasarawa State, has accused officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of denying its legal team access to election materials as directed by the tribunal.
Malam Ibrahim Hamza, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the party, disclosed this at a press briefing on Friday in Lafia.
He said the electoral officials always come up with ridiculous excuses to deny the PDP’s legal team opportunity to diligently prove its case through the documents.
According to him, despite the tribunal’s order, INEC officials at the local government areas have refused them access to electoral documents for inspection.
He said the case of Karu local government area was peculiar, accusing the electoral officers of allegedly changing ballot papers used during the governorship in the area, to conform with the prayers of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at the tribunal.
“In the course of the inspection, the electoral officers at some local government level offices of INEC could not avail the parties with the required materials at their disposals, alluding a number of incomprehensible reasons.
“However, it was discovered that in Karu LGA office, the electoral officers way after the elections, are presently changing the ballot papers in order to conform with the pleadings of the APC in an attempt to temper with the records and evidence that may be needed to assist the persecution.
“Also, we discovered that unused ballot papers are nowhere to be found of the disputed areas because the electoral officers are now swapping it with used ballot papers,” he alleged.
Hamza said it was a deliberate acts by the electoral officers to have the opportunity to fabricate documents to cover up in favor of the APC.
“In other local governments visited, our team were told that the documents are not ready.
“In our opinion, these are the antics and ploy to delay the release of the materials until they are tempered with as evidence and proof of election malfeasance,” he said.
He urged on all well-meaning Nigerians and lovers of democracy to call on the INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Dr Uthman Ajidagba and the commission’s Chief Administrative Officer in the state to order.
He said the PDP remained committed to due process for the good governance and security of the state.
He called its supporters to remain calm and hopeful of victory at the tribunal as the team of legal luminaries have pledged diligent prosecution within the provisions of the laws of the land.