The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti State, Prof Kolapo Olusola-Eleka, has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission of frustrating his efforts to duly file a petition at the election petitions tribunal.
Eleka is challenging the victory of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Dr Kayode Fayemi, as declared by the INEC.
He alleged that his applications to INEC for the certified true copies of election documents and a motion ex parte made to the tribunal were rebuffed despite having fulfilled necessary steps.
Eleka raised the alarm that the delay from INEC and the tribunal were plans to allow time to run against him in instituting the legal action within the 21 days.
He urged the election petitions tribunal to expedite action on his two applications and allow the law to take its course.
“We applied for certified true copies of election documents to assist in the preparation and presentation of my petition.
“The application was filed on July 16 to the Ekiti State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof Abdulganiyu Raji, and upon approval of the application, we made payment on July 20. Till now, no document has been made available to us by INEC.
“We equally made an application for certified true copies of the document to the INEC Chairman, Abuja, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, on July 17, and upon approval, payment was made on July 18.”
Eleka added that no document had been made available to him despite repeated visits to INEC offices in Ekiti and Abuja.
“I, therefore, make a passionate appeal to INEC not to frustrate me further as the damage it has done to me is enough.
“The action of INEC is showing that they are out to frustrate me so that time will completely run out against me in line with the expectation of their task masters.”
The election umpire, INEC is however yet to respond to the allegation. Efforts made to reach the Public Relations Officer of INEC in Ekiti, Alhaji Taiwo Gbadegesin, was unsuccessful as at the time of filing this report.
