Declare Obi Winner Or Resign, VMCII Urges INEC Chairman

By Progress Godfrey, Abuja

The Votes Must Count International Initiative, VMCII, has urged Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, to declare Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Mr Peter Obi winner or resign.

The Country Director of VMCII, Dr Barry Johnson addressing a news conference in Abuja on Monday, said the INEC boss failed to follow guidelines of the 2022 Electoral Act as amended, in the conduct of the just-concluded 2023 General Elections. 

Johnson said in tandem with local and international observers, the VMCII and Nigerians observed the late upload of presidential election results to INEC’s Result Viewing Portal; the IReV. 

“Arrest the INEC Chairman and prosecute him by law,” the group demanded, explaining that the electoral act prescribes penalties for failure to follow electoral guidelines. 

He stated that Nigerians voted for Mr  Obi, rejecting the declaration of the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Bola Tinubu winner.

The group, therefore demanded that Mr Obi be declared the authentic winner of the presidential election or INEC should cancel the general elections and set another electioneering calendar. 

The group also demanded that the certificate of return handed to Mr Tinubu be withdrawn. 

They further urged the commission to upload the original results that reflect citizens’ votes and apologise to Nigerians.