Stakeholders and supporters of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Mayo Belwa state constituency have rejected the declaration of Ibrahim Musa Italiya as the lawmaker-elect to representing the constituency by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
During a peaceful protest in Mayo Belwa state constituency, hundreds of supporters of the PDP candidate Musa Kallamu said the result is highly flawed and did not represent the wishes of the people.
The supporters who stormed major streets of Mayo Belwa chanting pro Kallamu slogans and carrying placards with various inscriptions urged INEC to respect the people’s wishes by returning the mandate to its legitimate owner.
They alleged that the election was tempered with by APC in some polling units hence urging INEC to immediately reverse the declaration of Ibrahim Musa of APC as winner to Musa Mahmud Kallamu of PDP as the elected Member of the constituency.
Speaking to Journalists on the sidelines of the protest, the PDP candidate, Musa Mahmud Kallamu accused some INEC personnel of conniving with APC to cancel some polling units where he won.
“The result that was given to us by our election observers does not tally with that of INEC, as a loyal member of PDP, I will wait and see what action my party will take on the matter” Kallamu said.
While appealing for calm amongst his supporters, Kallamu said his campaign council will meet the party to chart a way forward on the matter assuring the electorates that his mandate will be restored to him.
“There were over voting in Yelwa Zango, Wuro Mana and GSS mayo Units, some BVAS were emptied,” he added.
On his part, the Director General Musa Kallamu Campaign council, Mr Peter Daafe said the party deemed it right to reject the outcome of the election in toto over substantial non compliance with the 2022 electoral law as amended adding that some BVAS were deliberately deleted after the election in favour of APC Candidate.
He said the campaign council is compiling the infractions committed to challenge the matter legally.
Reacting to the development, Secretary of PDP in Mayo Belwa, Rabiu Ibrahim noted with dismay the manner in which the declaration of APC candidate was done in total disregard of extant electoral laws and best practices.
He said the party will not relent on the matter and will contact the state headquarter of the party so as to chart the right course of action to reclaim its stolen mandate.
