*Says Electoral Process is Marred With Violence and Malpractices
*Accuses APC loyalists of killing party agent
By; MKPUMA ENYINNA, Abakaliki
The governorship candidate of New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), in Ebonyi State has vowed to challenge the outcome of the 2023 governorship election in Ebonyi state over kidnapping, killing and other malpractices that engulfed the election.
The governorship candidate of NNPP in the last 2023 general election, Pst. Adol Awam stated this while briefing newsmen in Abakaliki over the outcome of the governorship election, saying that the electoral process was marred with violence and malpractices and must be challenged in court
He lamented that Fred Alobu, his agent at Ekpaomaka Ikwo was kidnapped and was whisked away on the day of election while Mr. Thomas Obodo, his party agent at Poll unit 009, Igboagu Ward 2 in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State was killed by boys suspected to be working with the APC state government.
“We have a reputation and a legacy to protect, and we will not be part of any action that could jeopardize our integrity and the trust of our supporters.
” It is with a heavy heart that I extend my condolences to the family of the Late Thomas Obodo, a former party agent of the NNPP, who was killed by thugs in Izzi LGA while protecting the votes of Ebonyians.
“The NNPP is deeply saddened by this unfortunate incident, and we call on the relevant authorities to ensure that justice is served. I also extend my condolences to the PDP over the loss of one of their LGA chairmen.
“Unfortunately, the election was an absolute sham as it was plagued with irregularities, such as failure to use BVAS to upload election results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV) in real-time, disenfranchisement of voters, rigging, vote buying, violence and intimidation, manipulation of election results, under-supply of voting materials, over-voting, ballot box stuffing and others are issues of corrupt practices and non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
“It is on this premise that the NNPP sternly rejects the outcome of the election, since it is glaring that the process was flawed. Consequently, a flawed process will eventually produce a flawed outcome. Therefore we call on INEC to cancel the gubernatorial elections in Ebonyi State. We are not alone in this as several other parties have also rejected the results and are in tune with our position.
“It is disheartening to note that the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) failed to live up to its mandate of ensuring a free, fair, and credible election. However, we want to reassure all Ebonyians that we will explore all legal means available to ensure that justice is served. We remain committed to our vision of building a better Ebonyi State, where every citizen can live, work and prosper in a peaceful and secure environment. We urge all Ebonyians to remain calm and law-abiding as we pursue the legal process to reclaim our mandate.”
“I must address the shameful pettiness exhibited by the ruling party during the electioneering period. It is highly disheartening to hear that they spread baseless propaganda that I, Prophet Dr Adol Awam of the NNPP,had stepped down from the gubernatorial race. Let me state categorically that such falsehood was inconceivable and never an option for us,” he said.
