Calabar, Cross River State – The Cross River State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has issued a statement rejecting the results of the local government elections held on Saturday, November 2, 2024.
In a strongly worded press release, the PDP condemned the election process, alleging widespread irregularities and accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating a rigged outcome.
According to the statement signed by the PDP’s State Chairman, Barr. Venatius Ikem, on Monday, the elections were marred by the diversion of voting materials, insufficient ballot papers, and the absence of required serial numbers and result sheets.
The PDP reported that official stamps for ballot authentication were unavailable at most polling units, a requirement that the party claims compromised the validity of the voting process.
The PDP alleges that the manipulation of the election process began with the composition of the Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC), which, according to the party, was biased in favour of the APC.
The PDP accused APC supporters of hoarding election materials and restricting access to them in various local government areas, including Calabar South, Obudu, Abi, and Obubra.
The statement further claimed that materials were diverted to the private residences of APC members, where alleged thumb printing took place without oversight.
In one of the more serious allegations, PDP pointed to Obudu Local Government Area, where it claims no election materials were made available to voters except those under the control of APC members.
The statement alleges that materials were taken to a military school in Bedia, where soldiers, reportedly acting under the orders of General Parker Undiandeye, brother of the APC candidate, restricted access to APC members only. Similar incidents were reported in Obanlikwu and Bekwarra, where PDP claims results were recorded on unofficial paper due to missing result sheets.
The PDP argues that the APC’s actions reflect the ruling party’s fear of a fair contest, accusing the APC of orchestrating the fraud to avoid potential electoral embarrassment.
“There was nothing like a local government election in Cross River State,” stated the PDP chairman, who described the alleged rigging as “monumental electoral fraud.”
The PDP has urged its supporters to remain calm and peaceful, pledging to challenge the election results in court.
The party emphasised its commitment to protecting citizens’ rights to elect their leaders and vowed to continue its fight to uphold electoral integrity in the state.
As of press time, representatives from APC and CROSIEC had not responded to PDP’s allegations. The unfolding situation is expected to lead to a legal contest as PDP seeks judicial intervention in what it has described as a “sham election” process.