Enugu LP candidate petitions INEC, accuses REC of blocking access to BVAS

Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 governorship election in Enugu state, Chijioke Edeoga, has petitioned the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmoud Yakubu, over the alleged refusal of the resident electoral commissioner in Enugu, Chukwuemeka Chukwu, to allow his team access to inspect the Bimodal Voter Accreditation Systems (BVAS) used in the elections.

In a petition he personally sent to the INEC chairman, Edeoga lamented that despite having been directed to allow Labour Party team of lawyers and experts access to the vital electoral materials, Chukwu has remained uncooperative.

The LP candidate had through his lawyers, M.J. Numa and Partners LLP, written to the INEC chairman, demanding access to the BVAS machines.

In the letter, which was dated June 26, 2023, and received by INEC on July 3, 2023, reminded the INEC chairman that the tribunal had fixed the hearing of the petition for July 7, 20223, and urged the electoral umpire to allow them to access the machines before the date.
But following the refusal of the Enugu state REC to grant the access, Edeoga, on Monday, July 6, 2023, wrote another reminder to the INEC Chairman, pointing out the refusal of the Enugu REC to obey both the lawful order of court and his directive.

The letter reads in part: “I want to inform you that in Enugu the LP is being frustrated from inspecting the BVAS machines notwithstanding the numerous court orders issued in that regard. I don’t think that the actions of the Enugu REC in this election circle are in consonance with conscience and portend well for the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria. I urge you sir to intervene. I have just 6 days left out of 7 to call my witnesses, Yrs. Hon C. Edeoga, LP Governorship candidate.”

In a follow-up letter to the INEC Chairman, the Enugu Labour Party candidate accused the REC of intentionally frustrating the efforts of his team in accessing the BiVAS.

Edeoga in the letter wrote “I wish to restate my deep appreciation to you for the prompt response to my complaint delivered to you via my WhatsApp platform. I restate that you won me over. I am informing you with regret that the REC for Enugu has refused to pick up my calls repeatedly made from 1030 AM. I am not the least surprised for 2 reasons: one, he had the foundation of frustrating the BiVAS inspection when he called me to inform me of a national INEC program in Abuja and in Lagos necessitating his absence for one week; a period within which he knows that the 7 days allotted to me to call witnesses would have expired.

“The second reason is that his obvious intention to frustrate the BiVAS inspection is consistent with his hostile disposition to my candidacy, before the election, in the course of the election, and even now that vital evidences are being assembled. I will show you proof later. Sir direct REC Enugu to allow the LP experts to have access to BiVAS machines in obedience of the properly issued order of the tribunal.”

Among the BiVAS machines Edeoga desires his team of forensic experts to inspect are eight polling units in Igbo Eze North Local Government Area in the Enugu North Senatorial zone, and the entire Owo Registration Area, and four polling units in Ugbawka Registration Area.