Bright Enabulele
* Says he has enough evidence to prove he won
By Kingsley Abavo in Benin
As the ruling Peoples Democratic Party is in the Election Petition Tribunal challenging the outcome of the September 21 Governorship election in Edo, the Accord Party and its candidate, Bright Enabulele has also filed in their petition.
Filing in their petition on Friday, 11 October, 2024, the Accord Party, and Enabulele alleged that the umpire, Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) was fraudulent in the declaration of the election results in favour of the APC and its candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo.
The election was compromised by the INEC making it the most corrupt in Nigeria’s history, they had earlier alleged.
Enabulele cited his own experience at Ward 5, St. Saviour Ivbiyeneva Primary School Unit 1 in the Ikpoba/Okha local Government area, of the State where he voted on live Television.
But officially, he was allocated zero votes from what the election umpire (INEC) announced, he alleged.
Addressing journalists in Benin City after his counsel submitted his petition to the Tribunal on Friday, Enabulele stated; that he wants him declared the winner of the election.
Or, the entire exercise cancelled and a fresh one conducted because “there was fraud, intimidation, deliberate announcement of wrong results by the INEC”.
According to him; “I don’t have anything against Monday Okpebholo but the process leading to APC Governorship candidate’s emergence.
“The case is against three parties, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) who conducted the election, the APC candidate who was declared winner, and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“The reason for challenging the election results; is due to non-compliance of the electoral process.
“My mandate was stolen, there was fraud, intimidation and deliberate announcement of wrong results.
“Nigeria is a country governed by the rule of law. I have been crying for many days now due to the outcome of the election.
“We cannot continue to rely on human interference. The BVAS was made to reduce human interference, but the BVAS was manipulated, there was manipulation at the collation process. Many agents were intimidated to sign wrong results.”
Further, Enabulele said; “We are telling Nigerians that the most important thing is how our leaders emerge, if the process is wrong, then we can never get it right.!
“I am not against the declared winner of the election, but against how the winner emerged, if somebody wins let him win correctly, if he loses, let him lose correctly.
“We cannot allow the people’s votes to be stolen, it doesn’t matter whether it was 100 or 200. For me, my mandate was stolen! They should declare me the winner or cancel the election!”
Continuing, Enabulele condemned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) getting a court order to inspect the BIVAS.
Stating that he was of the belief that the BIVAS was evidence that should be presented before the court; and not to be inspected with the tendencies that it could be tampered with.
“I was told that PDP obtained a court order to inspect the BIVAS, but for me again, it is wrong!
“Nobody should be given access to the BIVAS, because it is supposed to serve as evidence in the court.
“You cannot go to court without evidence. It is not about winning or losing, but that the will of the people should stand. Democracy is about the will of the people.”
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