Video: Chidoka’s Athena Centre Accuses INEC of Widespread Rigging in Edo Governorship Electio
Truth Live News International has monitored alarming allegations of electoral malpractice in the September 21 Edo State governorship election, raised by the Athena Centre, a non-profit organization advocating for transparent governance. The Centre has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of significantly compromising the integrity of the electoral process.
The election saw the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Monday Okpebholo, declared the winner with 291,667 votes, narrowly defeating the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, who received 247,274 votes. However, according to the Athena Centre, these results are riddled with inconsistencies, raising questions about their credibility.
Speaking on Channels Television’s *Politics Today* on Friday, as monitored by Truth Live News, Osita Chidoka, the Centre’s founder and a former Aviation Minister, characterized the irregularities as “overwhelming” and indicative of systemic rigging. Chidoka’s remarks have reignited debates over the conduct and reliability of INEC in administering free and fair elections.
“The evidence of systemic rigging observed in this election is so substantial that we cannot call the results credible,” Chidoka declared. He pointed to multiple lapses that undermined the election’s integrity, including overvoting, manipulations at ward collation centres, and discrepancies in the transmission of results.
One of the key issues highlighted was INEC’s failure to upload BVAS accreditation records to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) as mandated. This lapse, Chidoka argued, significantly impeded transparency and public trust in the process. “The inability to transmit real-time accreditation data casts a long shadow over the entire exercise,” he noted.
Chidoka also revealed that results from 153 polling units were unaccounted for. These missing results, he claimed, represent a glaring gap that undermines the validity of the declared outcome. According to the Athena Centre’s analysis, this discrepancy alone could alter the election’s trajectory.
Other allegations included the manipulation of results at ward collation centres. Chidoka described incidents where party agents and officials were allegedly coerced into altering figures, further eroding the credibility of the final tallies. The Centre’s findings suggest a pattern of malpractice that goes beyond isolated incidents, indicating an orchestrated effort to influence the outcome.
The Centre’s report also criticized INEC for a lack of adequate oversight and accountability mechanisms during the electoral process. Chidoka stressed that the commission’s actions and inactions significantly undermined the principles of democracy. He called for a comprehensive audit of the electoral process to identify and address systemic flaws.
Adding to the controversy, Chidoka made a startling announcement during the program: his resignation from the PDP. “Earlier today, I sent a letter to my ward in Anambra State resigning officially from the PDP,” he disclosed. “This decision is not about abandoning politics but about refocusing my efforts on reforming Nigeria’s political system.”
He explained that his departure from partisan politics was driven by a desire to prioritize his work with the Athena Centre. Chidoka reiterated his commitment to driving systemic political reform and fostering transparency in governance through non-partisan means.
The former minister’s decision to step away from party politics has sparked reactions across the political spectrum. Some have lauded his commitment to reform, while others have questioned the timing of his resignation. Nonetheless, Chidoka’s shift to a non-political advocacy role underscores the urgent need for electoral reform in Nigeria.
Chidoka emphasized the importance of evidence-based governance and systemic change. “Nigeria’s democratic institutions must be built on trust, accountability, and the unwavering commitment to the rule of law,” he asserted. He pledged to work with Nigerians who share his vision for a more transparent and equitable political system.
The Athena Centre’s findings have amplified calls for a review of INEC’s processes and the implementation of measures to ensure transparency in future elections. Stakeholders, including civil society organizations and political analysts, have urged the federal government to address these concerns urgently.
This controversy comes at a critical time for Nigeria, as the country prepares for upcoming elections. The allegations against INEC have raised fears about the potential for similar irregularities in future polls, further straining public confidence in the electoral system.
In conclusion, the Athena Centre’s allegations and Chidoka’s resignation serve as a wake-up call for Nigeria’s political elite. The need for comprehensive electoral reform has never been more urgent, as the nation grapples with the consequences of compromised democratic processes. Chidoka’s advocacy underscores the importance of integrity in governance and the collective responsibility to safeguard democracy.
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