By CHARLES IWUOHA

A group, Odinmma Ndi Ebonyi, has raised alarm over alleged “Conspiracy and Forgery of INEC BVAS Report and Compliance Certificate of the Presidential and National Assembly Election of February 25, 2023 in Ebonyi South Senatorial District by Former Governor David Umahi Nweze and certain staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with the intent to pervert justice and undermine democracy.”

The group at a press conference at NUJ Press Centre, Abuja, on Thursday, said the developing ugly incident gravely endangers Nigeria’s democracy, rule of law and the will of the Nigeria people.

A statement read at the conference which was signed by Moses Idika and Dr. Laz Ude Eze reads:

“It has come to the notice of Odinmma Ndi Ebonyi that there may be an illicit cartel in the Headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that is allegedly specialized in the forgery of BVAS reports and other INEC documents for unscrupulous politicians to the detriment of the wishes of the Nigerian electorate. This much was revealed in a petition by aggrieved parties to the Inspector General of Police dated June 13, 2023.

“Specifically, we note with dismay the grievous allegation that the immediate past Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi Nweze has procured a BVAS report and Compliance certificate from the afore-mentioned cartel within INEC to advance for sinister purposes targeted at perverting justice and endangering democracy.

“We are further alarmed by the accusation that some staff of INEC, namely Mrs. Nnenna A. Essien, (Assistant Director-Data Management – INEC Headquarters) and Rakiya A. Na’uzo (Deputy Director, INEC); amongst others may have colluded with the former governor of Ebonyi State to procure the alleged fake BVAS report and Compliance certificate in his bid to subvert the will of the people of Ebonyi South Senatorial district.

“This allegation is one that strikes at the heart of Nigeria’s democracy and, therefore, must not be left unattended to or treated with levity; irrespective of the characters involved.

“Who knows how many more desperate politicians across the length and breadth of the country are also in possession of similarly forged INEC documents procured from this criminal cartel within the Commission and jostling to mislead the judiciary in the different locations?

“We can only begin to imagine the cataclysmic reaction of the Nigerian people when they find out that INEC documents with which bathe judiciary are expected to pronounce judgement on sensitive electoral cases are predominantly fake and forged.

“We are also aware that the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), a man of high professional standing and integrity, had on his appointment promised to “devour the internal enemies of Nigeria like a Lion”. Odinmma Ndi Ebonyi is convinced that there are no greater enemies of Nigeria than those focused on truncating her democracy and its gains so far. Accordingly, this is a test case for the IGP to prove his commitment and resolve to fight crimes to the hilt.

“Consequently, we are using this opportunity to make the following demands from relevant Nigerian authorities in the interest of the integrity of our electoral system and survival of our growing democracy:

“We call on the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun in line with his vow and resolve to fight the “enemies of Nigeria”, to immediately constitute a crack forensic team to investigate these grave allegations and, if found to be true, ensure that the perpetrators of such evil against the people of Nigeria are brought to book without delay.

“We call on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to openly cooperate with the police and the Nigerian public to unravel this allegation in the interest of the integrity of the Commission and the development of our democracy.

“We call on all courts handling election petitions, especially in the case of Ebonyi state, to be on the alert and ensure that they are not hoodwinked or smeared by unscrupulous and desperate politicians, but discharge their duty according to law and; most importantly, on the strength of verifiable and valid evidences; in the interest of justice and rule of law.

“We also use this opportunity to call on the media, civil society and the general public to be vigilant and stand by Nigeria’s democracy by impressing it on INEC, the police and indeed the judiciary-the last hope of the common man-that justice must prevail!.

“An injury to one Nigerian is an injury to all Nigerian!”

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