The recently conducted gubernatorial election in Kaduna State has come under scrutiny, as former assistant secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and publisher of Kakaki Reporters, Midat Joseph, has alleged that the results uploaded on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Election Result Viewing (IReV) portal were different from the actual votes cast.
At a press conference in Abuja, Midat claimed that the votes reflected on the IReV portal did not align with what voters had cast.
He also called for the prosecution of those responsible for such an act and insisted that INEC should upload the real results of the Kaduna gubernatorial election in the IReV portal within a week or face litigation.
Midat stated that the certified copy with political parties’ agents is entirely different from what the commission uploaded, adding that INEC should review the entire results of the election in Kaduna State.
He further alleged that INEC staff had aided politicians in rigging the election.
Miat’s concerns were not limited to the uploading of the election results.
He also revealed that in Makera ward of Kaduna South local government, soldiers had taken over the collation center and journalists were prevented from entering.
He warned that such acts of injustice could discourage people from voting in future elections if not addressed, and vowed to go to court to ensure that those responsible are prosecuted.
“The commission should review the results because it is the INEC staff that are aiding politicians to rig the elections. This country must be salvaged; Nigeria must be saved because many people may not want to go out to vote if this kind of injustice is allowed to stand. This crime cannot be allowed to go freely,” Midat said.
