The Independent National Electoral Commission has dared the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in last Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State, Prof. Kolapo Olusola Eleka, to challenge the outcome of the poll as he had threatened.
INEC threw the challenge over the threat by Eleka to challenge the victory of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.
Speaking through its Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, the electoral umpire said: “INEC welcomes the decision of Prof. Eleka to go to the tribunal on the outcome of the governorship election.
“That is the proper thing to do.
“Legal process is a better resort than making inciting statements and engaging in media trial.
“We welcome judicial intervention on disputes arising from the election.
“Just like in the case of Edo State, it is left to Eleka to prove his case before the tribunal.”
Osaze-Uzzi rated the outcome of the election as “good and a fair reflection of the will of the people of Ekiti State.
“Even international and local observers rated the conduct of the poll as good.
“We have been receiving preliminary reports from the accredited Civil Society Organisations.
“Most of those in the so-called Coalition of Civil Society Groups were not accredited for the poll by INEC.
“The materials and logistics were on spot and accreditation of voters started as and when due in more than 92 per cent of the polling units.”
Responding to a question, Osaze-Uzzi said: “INEC is yet to have a post-mortem session on the poll but we have received oral briefing from some of our National Commissioners and others on ground.
“Certainly, we will hold a post-mortem meeting when all officials are fully back.”
