(Bishop Oscar Ossai. Photo Credit: Punch News)
The candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress in the Enugu North Senatorial District by-election, Bishop Oscar Ossai, has rejected the outcome of the June 20 poll, alleging widespread irregularities and electoral malpractices that he said rendered the exercise lacking in credibility and transparency.
Ossai, in a statement issued on Monday, said his position followed a comprehensive review of the conduct of the election by the party, its agents, supporters, and other stakeholders, and declared that the NDC did not recognise the result declared by the electoral authorities.
Among the infractions he alleged were the non-deployment or non-use of the Bi-modal Voter Accreditation System in some polling units, failure to electronically transmit results in certain locations, and discrepancies between figures announced at polling units and those collated at higher levels.
He also accused political actors of vote buying and voter inducement, and alleged incidents of voter intimidation, violence, and manipulation of electoral materials.
Ossai further claimed that some ad hoc staff deployed by the Independent National Electoral Commission were card-carrying members of the ruling All Progressives Congress, a situation he said compromised the neutrality and integrity of the process.
He disclosed that the party had begun compiling evidence including witness testimonies, polling unit records, and video footage with a view to pursuing legal redress before appropriate constitutional authorities.
The NDC candidate also raised concern over reports of harassment and violence allegedly experienced by voters, party agents, and supporters, and called on security agencies to investigate all such incidents and prosecute anyone found culpable.
He urged INEC, civil society organisations, and election observers to conduct a thorough review of the electoral process in order to strengthen public confidence in future polls.
Despite his rejection of the result, Ossai appealed to his supporters and residents of the district to remain calm and law-abiding while lawful channels were explored, reaffirming his commitment to pursuing justice through peaceful and democratic means.
The Enugu North Senatorial District by-election was conducted on June 20 to fill a vacant seat in the National Assembly.