By LINDA AGBU

Concerned financial members and stakeholders of the Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Alumni Association Home Branch have called for the immediate cancellation of August 14 branch election, citing alleged widespread irregularities.

In a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos, the members appealed to the National Executive Council (NEC) of the AAU Alumni Worldwide, the university community, security agencies and other stakeholders to intervene.

The concerned members alleged that the electoral process had been compromised before voting commenced, claiming that the Electoral Committee was appointed without the required consensus and that the electoral timetable was repeatedly altered.

They alleged that nominations were reopened and extended until August 10, followed by a manifesto presentation on August 13 and the election on August 14.

They also questioned the choice of a private residence belonging to an interested party as the polling venue, describing it as a potential conflict of interest.

The group further raised concerns about the financial report presented at the end-of-tenure meeting, alleging that it contained only total income and expenditure figures and was dated December 2025, in spite of being presented in August 2026.

On election day, the members alleged that more than 140 financial members arrived at the venue but were prevented from voting.

They claimed that an NEC observer took control of the proceedings and introduced voting restrictions that excluded members who, under the branch constitution, were eligible to vote.

They also alleged that the venue was heavily secured, with soldiers, police officers and armed youths present, creating an intimidating atmosphere.

According to the statement, senior academics, professionals, business leaders and other members were subjected to harassment and verbal abuse during the exercise.

The members further alleged that an unverified list containing only 49 selected voters was used during the election.

They claimed the list was not published before the election and excluded some active financial members while including persons who had not regularly attended branch meetings.

They alleged that the arrangement favoured a particular chairmanship candidate, an allegation that has not been independently verified.

The group also questioned the vote figures, alleging discrepancies between the number of accredited voters and votes counted.

It claimed that arguments over the figures disrupted the proceedings, while results for some executive positions were not made public.

The controversy continued after the poll, with the members alleging that the Electoral Committee (ELECO) chairman released a partial result declaring a chairmanship winner at about 10:13 p.m. on August 14, before the statement was deleted less than an hour later.

They said another statement was issued at about 5:15 a.m. on August 15 in an attempt to address the disputed figures.

The concerned members demanded the immediate cancellation of the election result, dissolution and reconstitution of the ELECO, a fresh and transparent election conducted in accordance with the association’s constitution.

They are also demanding a five-year audit of the Home Branch’s finances

They gave the Worldwide President and NEC seven days to address their grievances, warning that failure to do so could lead to withdrawal of subscriptions, formation of a parallel branch, legal action and other measures.

The allegations contained in the statement could not be independently verified by NAN at the time of filing this report. (NAN)