It’s too early to blame police, military for security lapses — INEC chairman

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission,  (INEC) Prof Mahmood Yakubu has said it would be premature to adjudge the performance of security agencies in weekend presidential and national assembly elections.

Even as he acknowledged that the process was marred by burning of ballot boxes, papers and election results sheets, Professor Yakubu said his Commission would only pass judgment on the performance of security forces after the conclusion of the entire electoral process.

He said: “I am not sure this is the right time for post mortem. The process is still ongoing. This is a  segment of the election and it is always prudent to conclude the process but I want to assure that in every situation,  there are lessons to learn. So we will review the situation after the election and then make recommendations to the security architecture.”

The INEC chairman admitted that hoodlums disrupted the process in states like Rivers Lagos, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom but were silent on what becomes of the outcome of the election in the affected areas in the states he mentioned.

“We have received preliminary reports and are closely monitoring the situation in Rivers, particularly Bonny and Akoku-Toru LGAs. We are similarly awaiting the detailed report from our Imo office particularly in respect of the Owerri Municipal LGA. We are also aware of the incidents in some parts of Lagos, particularly Okota.

“We are similarly aware of the incidence of intimidation, abduction, hostage-taking and violence unleashed on election officials in some States, notably Akwa Ibom, and the burning down of a vehicle conveying materials used for the election yesterday in Dekina LGA of Kogi State. Some Youth Corps members serving as ad hoc staff were also attacked in Osun State. While in all these attacks, election staff sustained injuries, we have unfortunately recorded the first fatality in Rivers State.

“An ad hoc staff, Mrs Ibisaki Amachree, was hit by a bullet while returning from election duty in Degema. We condemn these attacks and will forward a comprehensive report to the security agencies for expeditious investigation and prosecution of those involved.”

To assuage the feelings of those who could not exercise their franchise as a result of the malfunctioning of the Smart Card Readers, Professor Yakubu said a decision was taken to conduct fresh polls in the affected states yesterday( Sunday)

“After consultation with the communities involved, and in line with our Regulations and Guidelines, new SCRs have been reconfigured and deployed for elections in the affected polling units. Right now elections are ongoing in some PUs in Abia, Bayelsa, Benue, Plateau, Zamfara and one Polling Unit in Binji LGA of Sokoto State and Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). We are determined that the vote of every Nigerian is important and must count.”

The INEC chairman restated his admonition that only his Commission was statutorily empowered to release results of the election. He promised Nigerians that results of the presidential election would be unveiled from today, (Monday) as he noted that his Commission “expect the State Collation Officers for Presidential Election (SCOPE) to start arriving at the National Collation Centre later today or early morning tomorrow. ”

“Meanwhile, collation of results from yesterday’s elections continue nationwide. Almost all the States have concluded RA collation and are now collating results at LGA level. Some have commenced State-level collation. We expect the State Collation Officers for Presidential Election (SCOPE) to start arriving at the National Collation Centre later today or early morning tomorrow. Accordingly, the National Collation Centre will be officially declared open today at 6:00 pm. Collation will commence as soon as the results arrive from the states.

“Already, some PU results are in the public domain. Let me once again reiterate the position of the law that only the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) can tally figures, announce result and declare winners in our general election. I urge all stakeholders to strictly adhere to the provisions of the law and be circumspect in this respect. We are doing everything possible to ensure the speedy collation of results and the declaration of winners for the elections conducted yesterday.”

Asked by newsmen if he was aware of ununderageoting in Taraba state, he dismissed the allegation as he said his Commission was not aware of the development as he restated his stance that it was an infraction on the Electoral Act.

“Underage voting in Taraba? We have said the law in Nigeria is clear on eligibility. Any underage should be arrested, our position is very clear on that but I am not aware of such an incident in Taraba”