AKWA IBOM: APC gov candidate accuses INEC of denying legal team access to election materials

The governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of denying his legal team access to election materials.

According to the APC governorship candidate, Nsima Ekere, INEC is frustrating his case by denying his legal team access to materials used in the last governorship election in the state.

Speaking with newsmen in Akwa Ibom on Tuesday, the leader of the legal team of the APC governorship candidate, Chief Victor Iyanam, said he has consequently written to the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mike Igini, accusing him of disobeying tribunal orders and bias against Ekere.

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In his letter, dated April 26, Iyanam said: “We are however distressed by the delay, refusal and unwholesome excuses given by your office for non-compliance with the order of the Election Petition Tribunal of the April 15, 2019 in Petition No. EPT/AKS/GOV/01/2019.”

According to Iyanam, include non-availability of the materials as a result of transport challenges in bringing them from the local government areas, inadequate staff to carry out those duties and the fact that INEC staff are busy with Senator Godswill Akpabio’s inspections.

He noted that the excuses were untenable in the light of the short period of time “to prove our case at the Election Petition Tribunal,” adding, “we regret to state that your staff appear to be acting the script of the PDP.”

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