The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) of refusing to grant it access to election materials used in the November 11 governorship election in Kogi State.
The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal had ordered INEC to grant SDP access for forensic assessment of the election materials.
The Director of New Media Muri/Sam Campaign Council/SDP Isaiah Davies Ijele accused INEC of refusing to grant the party access to the election materials in a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday.
Parts of the statement read, “Recall that, a court order was served to INEC on Monday, and our team of forensic experts has been in Lokoja ready to commence their work.
“Yesterday, on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, our forensic experts visited the INEC office to initiate their work, but Barrister Faith Kotso once again hindered their progress. She demanded that the work should commence today, Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at 9am.
“This morning, upon arrival at the INEC office, Barrister Faith Kotso claimed that she was unable to send the notice to other stakeholders and required today to communicate to them.
“According to the court order, the 48-hour timeline expired yesterday, November 28, 2023, and INEC has yet to fully comply.
“We question whether Barrister Faith Kotso considers herself above the court order or if she has been influenced by the Bello Led administration to disrupt a peaceful democratic process that is already under threat.
“Furthermore, we have received reports that political thugs affiliated with Governor Bello have taken control of the roads leading to the INEC office pretending to be SDP supporters, effectively preventing anyone, including INEC staff in Lokoja, from accessing the premises.”
Meanwhile, the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Kogi State has adjourned pending the completion of inspection of election materials by the Social Democratic Party.
The tribunal had earlier ordered INEC to issue certified copies of electoral materials on the November 11 off-cycle election in the state to the SDP within 48 hours.
At the resumed hearing, on Wednesday, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) said the INEC was cooperating with the inspection of materials as granted by the order of the Tribunal, but sought for more time.
