UYO, Nigeria – A group known as Akwa Ibom Integrity Alliance has issued a threat to initiate legal action against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its failure to complete the re-run elections for the House of Representatives seat in the Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency of the state.
INEC had previously cancelled the supplementary election held on Saturday, April 15, due to instances of violence perpetrated by suspected thugs.
Cyril Omoregbe, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, announced the nullification, stating that INEC could not endorse a process tainted by violence and irregularities.
It has been reported that during the rerun, alleged fake army officers attacked electoral officers and voters at some polling units, leading to the shooting of a National Youth Service Corps member.
In a press statement signed by its chairman, Barr Stephen Abia, and distributed to journalists in Uyo on Friday, May 5, 2023, the Akwa Ibom Integrity Alliance also implored Inspector General of Police Alkali Usman Baba to investigate and hold accountable all individuals responsible for the violence during the bye-election that resulted in the shooting of a corps member performing legitimate electoral duties.
Abia emphasized the importance of the 17 polling units in Itak for the bye-election, as they contain over 6,000 votes and could determine the constituency’s next representative. He argued that it would be unjust for the people of Itak, who have the highest voting power, to be denied their right to vote due to the unfortunate incident.
The group urged INEC to schedule a new date for the rerun and called for increased security during the polls to restore the public’s trust in the electoral umpire.
Abia stated,”We are calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission to fix a fresh date for the conduct of the House of Representatives Election of Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency of the Akwa Ibom State.”
He added, “The people of the area needed to exercise their constitutional right of voting; any failure to yield to the people’s demand, we will have no option but to seek legal redress.”
