Nigeria’s main opposition party has rejected the re-election of President Olusegun Obasanjo, alleging that the ballot was rigged and saying that any new government would be illegitimate.
”Any government that is formed on the basis on this fraudulent election result will be illegitimate,” said Sam Nda-Isaiah, spokesperson for former dictator Muhammadu Buhari, who was defeated in Saturday’s vote.
Nda-Isaiah noted that European Union monitors had said the election had been marred by fraud in 11 of Nigeria’s 36 states, and added: ”By our own estimation, elections did not take place in about 15 states.”
”Our minimum demand is that new elections should be held in these areas under the supervision of the international community,” he said.
Meanwhile, the fiery chairman of Buhari’s All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Don Etiebet, went further, denouncing the conduct of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
”INEC should declare all elections cancelled. The result does not reflect the wishes of the people,” he told journalists.
”INEC … is holding secret meetings with Obasanjo and (ruling party chairman) Audu Ogbeh and INEC commissioners in the states,” he charged.
”That was how the rigging plan was perfected … I call for the cancellation of the entire process because it was characterised by fraud,” he said.
Neither official would say what form their rejection of Obasanjo’s victory would take. Buhari last week called for ”mass action” against fraud, but has since denied any attempt to incite unrest.
Official results released on Tuesday showed that Obasanjo’s lead over Buhari had become unassailable. INEC has called a news conference for 6:00 pm (1700 GMT) at which they are expected to confirm his victory.
With 41 331 691 votes counted in more than 98 of Nigeria’s local government districts, Obasanjo had 24 109 157 or 61,8% of the vote, while his main challenger Buhari trailed on 12 495 326 or 32%. – Sapa-AFP