Edo 2024: Chidoka accuses INEC of systemic rigging
The September 21, 2024, governorship election in Edo State has become a lightning rod for controversy, as Osita Chidoka, former Minister of Aviation and Chancellor of the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership, has leveled allegations against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today with Seun Okinbaloye, Chidoka presented what he described as incontrovertible evidence of systemic rigging orchestrated by INEC to favor the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to Chidoka, the Athena Centre’s analysis of the election results revealed significant discrepancies, including a mismatch between the number of accredited voters recorded by presiding officers at polling units and the figures reported by INEC’s BVAS backend. He claimed that while polling unit records showed 580,000 accredited voters, INEC’s backend inflated the figure to 687,000, adding more than 100,000 votes in 798 polling units. Chidoka described this as clear evidence of backend tampering and a deliberate effort to manipulate the outcome.
He also pointed to discrepancies between the certified true copies of polling unit results issued by INEC and the results uploaded to its Result Viewing Portal (IReV). These irregularities, he alleged, suggest the use of duplicate result sheets containing fabricated figures to skew the election.
Chidoka’s findings further highlighted that 11,665 votes were subtracted from the PDP’s tally during ward collation, while 32,284 votes were added to the APC’s total.
“The evidence of systemic rigging is so substantial that we cannot even recognize this as a valid election,” he said. Chidoka warned that allowing the flawed results to stand would set a dangerous precedent, making credible elections impossible in 2027.
Chidoka also raised concerns about over-voting, missing results, and the manipulation of BVAS records at INEC’s headquarters. He expressed dismay at what he described as the erosion of public trust in the electoral process, stating, “The BVAS machines, previously hailed as the gold standard for election integrity, were remotely manipulated by INEC. This revelation completely betrays public trust.”
The former minister called for urgent reforms to address systemic flaws in Nigeria’s electoral process, including auditing ballot papers before announcing results, transitioning to electronic voting, depoliticizing electoral appointments, and enacting stricter laws to punish electoral malpractice. He also criticized INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu’s leadership, joining other prominent voices, such as former President Olusegun Obasanjo, in calling for his immediate replacement.
He urged the courts to rise to the occasion and correct what he described as the worst election ever conducted by INEC. “If this flawed result stands, rest assured there will be no credible election in 2027,” he warned.
Osita Chidoka then announced his resignation from the PDP, to enable him focus fully on fighting for electoral reform without being hamstrung by the toga of partisanship. “Nothing else is as important to me right now as the defense of our democracy”, he stated.
The allegations against INEC come as Nigeria prepares for future elections, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the country’s democratic institutions. For many observers, the question is whether the judiciary will act decisively to restore public confidence or allow doubts about the electoral process to fester further.
