Some Nigerians aggrieved with the outcome of the Kogi State governorship elections on Thursday stormed the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), insisting that Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) must be allowed to work in a transparent manner.

Protest and allegations

The protest came amid tensions over the use of the BVAS in the Kogi State governorship election held in November last year.

The demonstrators, under the auspices of the Concerned Kogi Citizens’ Forum, led by Isaiah Davies, demanded transparency in the use of BVAS, alleging fraud and accusing INEC of manipulating the election results.

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The protesters bore placards with inscriptions such as “Judges, BVAS matters,” “INEC Chairman, BVAS must be transparent!,” “Restore integrity in Nigeria’s elections!,” and “INEC, stop the BVAS fraud now!”

Tribunal decision and appeal

The protest and counter-protest follow the dismissal of a petition by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) by the Kogi State election tribunal challenging the poll results, citing lack of evidence.

Muritala Ajaka, the SDP candidate, has appealed the decision, alleging fraud. He had previously sought to inspect the BVAS materials used in the election.

The Supreme Court upheld Ajaka’s request, ordering INEC to tender the BVAS devices and documents containing their identification numbers and a summary of the devices.

Statements from protest leaders

Speaking during the demonstration, Davies said: “We are pro-government, we stand for the Nigerian people, and we support the rule of law. Our purpose is to advocate for the preservation of INEC’s accreditation process. If accreditation were not beneficial, INEC would not have endorsed it.

“The smart card reader system was introduced in 2019 to eliminate electoral fraud, but it faced issues. Then, INEC introduced the BVAS, which cost over N500 billion. Unfortunately, the reality we are witnessing today does not align with the hope that was instilled.

“We want INEC to release the BVAS report to prove the election was free and fair. In Kogi State, for instance, the accreditation process would involve 100 voters. However, some university professors hired by INEC as returning officers have been observed to announce election result figures that exceed the number of voters accredited. This constitutes electoral fraud. INEC should sanction such returning officers.”

Counter-protest by ETAC

Meanwhile, the Election Transparency Advocacy Coalition (ETAC), led by Barrister Peter Ugwuoke, countered with a protest of their own, backing INEC and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The counter-protesters bore placards with inscriptions such as “Let INEC breathe,” “Stop blackmailing INEC,” “Allow our elections to mature,” and “INEC is doing well.”

Statements from ETAC Leaders

Ugwuoke said, “INEC is doing its best to conduct free and fair elections despite challenging conditions. The Commission is not the problem, but the politicians who are bad losers. They are taking out their frustration on INEC without justification, using falsehood and wicked propaganda to discredit the election.

“We are here today in solidarity with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, which has become a target of unfair and wicked propaganda by politicians who are bad losers. INEC conducted the governorship election in Kogi State with professional competence, making the election a substantially true reflection of the choice and wishes of the Kogi State electorate.

“All lovers of democracy in this country know that the November 11th, 2023, governorship election in Kogi State was conducted by INEC with professional competence. The unnecessary noise about BVAS is based on unfounded allegations with no concrete proof or evidence. We commend INEC for a job well done and urge the Commission to refuse to be distracted by political merchants of fake news and division.”

Statement from ETAC spokesperson

In the same vein, Kolawole Michael, spokesperson for ETAC, stated: “INEC conducted the governorship election in Kogi State professionally and competently, reflecting the choice and wishes of the electorate. The unnecessary noise about BVAS is based on unfounded allegations with no concrete proof or evidence. We condemn the activities of disgruntled politicians sponsoring atrocious propaganda against INEC and urge the Commission to stay focused on its mandate.

“The politicians who are crying foul are the ones who failed to win the election. They are trying to discredit the election because they were defeated. We urge INEC to ignore their antics and continue to do its job with professionalism and integrity.

“The election in Kogi State was free, fair, and credible. The winner of the election was declared by INEC in accordance with the law. We urge the losers to accept the outcome of the election and congratulate the winner, rather than trying to discredit the election and cause chaos in the state.”