Bayelsa governorship election: Pro-democracy gives INEC ultimatum

National Democratic Front (NDF) has given the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) a three day ultimatum to declare the final result for the governorship election in Bayelsa State  or face large scale protest at its national headquarters and in all its offices nationwide.

The pro-democracy group consisting of 21 signatories condemned in clear terms what it described as the latest antics of INEC to declare elections inconclusive without justifiable cause. The group noted with angst that the new leadership of the commission has proven that it has plans to derail the nation's democracy.

In a statement read by NDF's National Secretary, Pastor Sunny Bright Attah, in Abuja on Thursday, the group expressed worries over the withheld results of the Bayelsa state governorship election especially the vote cast in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the State.

Pastor Attah noted that “it is unconstitutional for political parties to arrogate the role of the electoral umpire to themselves by declaring voting results but unfortunately this is the sorry pass INEC has brought the country to. The declaration of the election as inconclusive is therefore unacceptable.”

The group warned further:
“We hereby warn INEC that pro -democracy activists all over the country will take over their headquarters should they fail to announce the results after 72hours.

“Let it be established that it is an abuse of the concept of separation of powers as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution for INEC to abrogate to itself the powers of a law court. It behooves on us as patriotic citizens to defend the constitution irrespective of who the actors are or how highly placed they are.” Pastor Attah warned.

-Emmanuel Ikechukwu
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