Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, don reject the outcome of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primary election, wey hold on Monday. He allege say plenty voter no fit vote, wey make the process no be transparent.
For a post on im X handle on Tuesday, before the official announcement of results, Amaechi tok say the process fail to meet the standards wey the party promise. “Following reports of widespread voter disenfranchisement for most parts of the country during the ADC Presidential Primaries yesterday, I unequivocally reject the concocted results being announced,” im write.
Amaechi, wey be one of three contenders for the ADC presidential ticket alongside former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and businessman Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, maintain say im go only accept outcome wey be free, fair, and transparent. “I had initially stated that I will only accept the outcome of the Primaries if the process was free, fair, and transparent, and I stand by my word. I will not accept results from a process that does not reflect the values that the ADC had pledged to uphold,” im yarn.
The former Rivers governor allege say large number of party members no get chance to vote. “There’s no way that about eighty percent of members of the party were not allowed to vote, and you expect me to accept such results. Then what makes us different from the others?” im add.
Amaechi further accuse the party of engaging for same electoral malpractices wey dem condemn for ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). “A party that criticizes the ruling APC and INEC for vote buying, rigging and writing of results, cannot be engaged in vote buying, writing of results, and other electoral malpractices that leads to the disenfranchisement of voters who are party members. This is not acceptable!”
Amaechi rejection come hours after fellow aspirant Mohammed Hayatu-Deen also withdraw from the exercise over alleged irregularities. For statement on im X handle on Tuesday, Hayatu-Deen express concern over reports of widespread electoral malpractice across the country, wey im personally witness some incidents. “I will not be attending the announcement of the ADC Presidential Election Results today. I am concerned by reports from across the country of widespread vote rigging, some of which I myself observed, and will therefore be taking advice on my next steps,” the statement read.
The ADC presidential primary collation dey take place for Abuja, with results expected from across the country. Ahead of the primary, the ADC don urge aspirants, party leaders, delegates, and members to conduct themselves peacefully and uphold party unity. For statement for Abuja on Sunday, party National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, describe the exercise as defining moment for both ADC and Nigerians wey dey search credible political alternative. “The ADC remains proud to stand today as the only truly democratic party in Nigeria because it is the only political party whose choice of presidential candidate is determined through open primaries,” Abdullahi state.
