Murtala Ajaka, the Social Democratic Party’s candidate for the Kogi State governorship election, has condemned the just concluded poll, saying the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is setting Nigeria up for anarchy with the trend of election rigging. 

“If the INEC chairman allows this to stand, they are looking for trouble in Nigeria. You gave me assurances that the election would be transparent; you allowed me to waste my time, spend my money, mobilise my people, only for you to write the results,” said Mr Ajaka.

He added, “Even if I’m not sad about it, you expect my supporters to be happy. I assure you if they allow this to stand as they are allowing in all the states now, they are calling for anarchy in this country.”

Mr Ajaka made this statement in an interview with Channels TV on Monday, following INEC’s declaration of Usman Ododo, the  All Progressives Congress candidate, as the election winner. 

The SDP candidate also expressed doubt in the judiciary, saying he will not go to court to challenge the election outcome.

“I have been around for the past 20 years. I know what it is. What am I going to court to do when the same INEC that did this is going to come as a witness to defend what they did? So it is a waste of time. Except the party people because I’m hugely disappointed,” Mr Ajaka said. 

According to INEC, Mr Ododo polled 446,237 votes, winning 13 local government areas, while Mr Ajaka came second with 259,052 votes, winning in eight local governments. Dino Melaye of the Peoples Democratic Party had 46,362 votes, not winning any local government.

On Saturday morning, Peoples Gazette reported how pre-recorded result sheets revealed that the APC candidate won at some polling units while votes were being cast. 

The APC, however, said it had a clear and convincing victory at Saturday’s off-cycle governorship election and was not afraid of litigation.