Ondo State Elections: INEC’s Test of Fairness and Integrity

On April 16, 2007 / By Imnakoya / In Democracy, Governance, Nigeria, elections

I come from a state in Nigeria known for people who would stand, confront, and if necessary fight for any form of injustice, particularly political injustice. Ondo state (map) is known for its political volatility. If events in 1983 were to be reckoned with - when unprecedented statewide protest and violence ensued following the announcement of an openly rigged elections that favored an unpopular candidate - Ondo is being rigged to explode again this time courtesy of INEC (Nigerian electoral commission), the PDP controlled-state executive, and the presidency.

Words on the Streets

Reports suggest the presidency and state government have manipulated the result in favor of the PDP. Hence the reason for delaying the results in the state. Which I’ve been told has been suspended indefinitely because of fraud.

But it appears the PDP has underestimated the people they have ruled for 4 years, and certainly has forgotten history as well.

There has been widespread agitation against the delay and the rumor that the result has been altered. Since yesterday, residents of the Akure, in their thousands, have been keeping vigil at the INEC state office. I learnt soldiers had to be called in last night to forcefully dispatch the crowd. The people have since regrouped this morning, and the protest is gradually gaining ground in the city. There is palpable tension in all major towns in the state, I have been told.

The Facts

The incumbent Deputy Governor was seen, arrested and later released for “stealing” ballot materials on the day of the election. Several eyewitnesses saw when he arrived at a particular polling station in Akure in his official vehicle accompanied by his security staff, who shot into the air to scare off voters and foreign observers, and made away with ballot materials. There were similar reports of several PDP agents using this M.O at several stations in state.

Despite the electoral fraud of the PDP, there are strong indications that the Dr. Mimiko - the Labour Party and main opposition candidate to the Dr. Agagu - the PDP incumbent, won at least 14 of the 18 Local Government Areas in the state, with landslide victory in 10! This is what collated returns suggest at each local government.

INEC is “Investigating”

If indeed INEC is sitting on the result because it’s investigating electoral fraud, the perpetrator shouldn’t be in question - start with the deputy Governor!

Secondly, the investigation shouldn’t take days - after all INEC has computerized databases - this is what Nigerians have been told - containing biometric (fingerprint) information collected during registration of voters. I hope this can be cross-tabbed with the serials numbers on the ballot papers and used to identify “alien” votes. Maybe it isn’t this simple but the logic is clear.

My Two Cents

The election in Ondo State is one INEC may use to redeem its image and somehow reassure Nigerians and the international community that it is up to the task by not taking a wrong, costly and lethal step in Ondo State.

13 Responses to “Ondo State Elections: INEC’s Test of Fairness and Integrity”

It appears INEC has gone ahead to announce the result for Ondo State. Agagu won.

What is strange is that the result was announced on national TV in Abuja and not in Akure, the state capital where the resident INEC official ought to have make the announcement.

It is strange that the result came from Abuja. It is strange that Agagu suddenly won the election, an election the resident INEC commissioner says is fraught with fraud.

This is a rape of democracy. One needs to get ready fro the avalanche of violence that will certainly come crashing down, unfortunately the those that should suffer will escape.

By Shola
April 16, 2007 at 7:16 am
In fact what you predicted has started happening in Ondo town, just got off the phone and I’m told it’s war-like!!!

By Tola
April 16, 2007 at 7:32 am
I confirmed there was an announcement by INEC in Abuja that Agagu won the election. However, the Ondo State INEC Resident Commissioner has issued a rebuttal: No Results have been released for the state .

As I commented earlier on African Shirts:
Why announce results from Abuja when the normal practice is to announce in the states where elections were held?

Why would the feds go ahead and announce results under investigation?

Can the INEC headquarters in Abuja overrule a local office?

By Imnakoya
April 16, 2007 at 8:21 am
Final Result:

Agagu = 249,000 votes. Mimiko = 226,000 votes. 11:00PM to 6:00AM curfew imposed.

By Imnakoya
April 16, 2007 at 8:33 am
This is a slap on us. Ondo citizen must not allowed this. INEC must be made to explain this electoral fraud. I was listening to the INEC commissioner this afternoon on this matter; an AIT reporter brought up this issue, but the guy was found wanting.

If you look at Professor IWU closely, you wouldnt be surprised about these happenings.This was another case of case in Anambra, Edo, Adamawa and many other states declared in favour of PDP. But I am sure they will all be disappointed in Ondo State.

Look at EKITI. How can you convince a primary school pupil that 6 is greater than 14. Apparently, AC won in that state. For AC to have won in 14 LGA, I dont know why PDP was declared.

Too bad. INEC has failed already.

By wole
April 16, 2007 at 11:49 am
[...] Earlier today I had a chance to observe the magic of the Nigerian government in action even though I’m thousands of miles away from the country. Just after finishing the piece on Ondo State, I got a call from Florida - the caller had been monitoring the NTA news (Nigerian national TV) via cable and told me the INEC Director of Publicity, Phillip Emeadi, speaking from Abuja, just declared Dr Agagu the winner of the gubernatorial elections in Ondo State. Impossible! [...]

By Grandiose Parlor » Blog Archive » Help! Nigerians Have Been Robbed!!!
April 16, 2007 at 9:22 pm
HOW COULD AGAGU WIN IN ONDO AND THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE THAT VOTED HIM GO ON A RAMPAGE INSTEAD OF JUBILATING TO CELEBRATE HIS VICTORY?. CAN OBASANJO WITH HIS BIG FAT STOMACH, HIS PUPPET AGAGU AND INEC EXPLAIN THIS TO EVERY SANE INDEGENE OF ONDO STATE?.

I AM SURE MOST PEOPLE ARE NOW REALISING WHY ABACHA WANTED OBASANJO TO PERISH IN JAIL. OBASANJO IS NOT FIT TO BE CALLED THE FATHER OF OUR NATION. WHO EVER MANIPULATES OR CAUSES ELECTIONS TO BE MANIPULATED IN ORDER TO ROB ONDO STATE OF THEIR RIGHTFUL CHOICE IS NOT FIT TO LIVE.

THE PEOPLE OF ONDO STATE MUST CONTINUE TO FIGHT THIS INJUSTICE UNTIL AGAGU IS GONE FOREVER. OBASANJO, AGAGU AND ALL THEIR COHORTS MUST BE TRIED. THIS JUNGLE DEMOCRACY MUST END.

By FEYI AKINNOLA
April 17, 2007 at 7:31 pm
Its a shame to have a character called Olusegun Obasanjo as Nigeria’s president. This man refuse to be a student of history. HAD HE FORGOTTEN WHAT HAPPENED IN ONDO STATE DURING OMOBORIOWO AND AJASIN SAGA. That this is a non nonsense State that will not compromise their integrity for all that PDP HAS TO OFFER ANY LONGER. Yet Prof Iwu (an insturment)to Baba Iyabo went ahead to reverse the people’s popular wish. If governance is to serve your people and the people intend to serve said they dont want you again, should a man of integrity not bow out of such race honourably rather than robbing Peter to pay Paul. I tell you, that if we conduct a free and fair election in Agagu’s household, Mimiko will still win him a 100 times and over. Afterall Mimiko won Agagu’s Local Government. That should be a good signal to Agagu and all the cohort of hell in PDP that their time is up in Ondo State in particular and in the entire nation in general. My prayer is that God in His mercy will reign and rule in the affairs of next Saturday’s Presidential election in this country, Debo

By Debo
April 19, 2007 at 10:13 am
IT IS A BAD EVENT THAT CANNOT BE FORGOTTEN IN ONDO STATE OF NIGERIA,IT IS KNOWN THAT OLUSEGUN MIMIKO WON IN ALL MOST EVERYWHERE IN ONDO STATE,THEN THIS WE REALISE THAT OBASANJO AND AGAGU MANIPULATED THESE,THEY ARE BOTH THIEVES,THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE THROWN TO DEATH,WELL, I EXPECT UMARU AND THE ENTIRE NATION TO FIGHT ON OUR BEHALF FOR JUSTICE.MIMIKO IS OUR CHOICE,WE WANT MIMIKO IN ONDO STATE.

By AKINOLA AKINWUMI
December 18, 2007 at 5:55 am
AGAGU AND OBASANJO ARE PEOPLE TO BE STONE TO DEATH,DUE TO THE PROBLEM IN ONDO STATE NO BODY DOES NOT KNOW THAT OLUSEGUN AGAGU IS A THIEF WHO STOLE AWAY THE RIGHTS OF PEOPLE IN ONDO STATE.I WONDER WHAT THE TRIBUNAL ARE DOING ABOUT IT,INEC OFFICIALS.IF NOTHING GOOD HAPPENS BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR,OGUN,SANGO,OBATALA,ORANMIYAN,ODUDUWA,AND ALL THE gODS IN THE WHOLE WORLD,INCLUDING GOD WILL PURNISH ALL THE PEOPLE HOLDING TO IT.WE WANT MIMIKO AS OUR GOVERNOR BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR IF ALL OF THEM DONT WANT WHAT HAPPEN TO EGYPTIANS,I MEAN THE PLAGUES TO COME TO THEM.

By AKINOLA AKINWUMI
December 18, 2007 at 6:09 am
Godly patience and persistent support with dilligence and sense from all corners have been the key words that have brought us this far in Ondo State. It will all pay off well and in favour of the mandate holder in Ondo State who is DR OLUSEGUN MIMIKO. Not too long to go now. May 07 to Dec 07 we have persevered, trusting and believing that the Election Petition Tribunal will deliver TRUTH AND JUSTICE. I hear that in spite of all attempts to bribe them, they will not be corrupted (praise God). Only some few more days to go and justice will be done. MIMIKO has been such a gallant, God fearing patient and peace loving man and God will reward him by giving him back his stolen mandate.

By omotaylor
December 18, 2007 at 3:22 pm
The election results in ondo state was highly ungodly,unethical and unlawful.I beseech the Ondo State Tribunal to kindly see into that illegal result annnounced in Abuja by Sanjo and Iwu so as to bring the truth of the results known to the entire Ondo State Citizens.

By olawole bankole
December 27, 2007 at 4:26 pm
We have a true and living God who is very alive and never sleeps. Justice will be done. Even though it tarries, we wait for it.

By omotaylor
December 27, 2007 at 5:35 pm

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Ondo State Elections: INEC’s Test of Fairness and Integrity

13 Responses to “Ondo State Elections: INEC’s Test of Fairness and Integrity”

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