The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of denying them access to poll materials used in the Kogi State governorship election on November 11.
The Governorship electoral Petition Tribunal had directed INEC to provide SDP access to the electoral documents for forensic analysis.
In a statement made accessible to journalists on Wednesday, the Director of New Media Muri/Sam Campaign Council/SDP Isaiah Davies Ijele accused INEC of refusing to provide the party access to election materials.
Parts of the statement read,
“Recall that, a court order was served to INEC on Monday, and our team of forensic experts has been in Lokoja ready to commence their work.
“Yesterday, on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, our forensic experts visited the INEC office to initiate their work, but Barister Faith Kotso once again hindered their progress. She demanded that the work should commence today, Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at 9am.
“This morning, upon arrival at the INEC office, Barister Faith Kotso claimed that she was unable to send the notice to other stakeholders and required today to communicate to them.
“According to the court order, the 48-hour timeline expired yesterday, November 28, 2023, and INEC has yet to fully comply.
“We question whether Barister Faith Kotso considers herself above the court order or if she has been influenced by the Bello Led administration to disrupt a peaceful democratic process that is already under threat.
“Furthermore, we have received reports that political thugs affiliated with Governor Bello have taken control of the roads leading to the INEC office pretending to be SDP supporters, effectively preventing anyone, including INEC staff in Lokoja, from accessing the premises.”
Meanwhile, the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Kogi State has adjourned pending the completion of inspection of election materials by the Social Democratic Party.
The tribunal had earlier ordered INEC to issue certified copies of electoral materials on the November 11 off-cycle election in the state to the SDP within 48 hours.
At the resumed hearing, on Wednesday, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) said the INEC was cooperating with the inspection of materials as granted by the order of the Tribunal, but sought for more time.