Nigerian Election Official In Bribery Accusations

The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal has this week heard allegations that an official of the country’s electoral commission received a $10,000 bribe in order to change the results.

Ward Collation Agent, Likita Ali, alleged that the INEC official collected $10, 000 to change the result of the presidential election in favour of President Buhari and the APC in Nasarawa State. He further stated that the official identified as Abubakar Kaura was arrested and handed over to the police. However, he could not confirm whether he had bee prosecuted.

Ali also alleged that INEC officials had refused to receive local government results where Atiku had won, and that at one polling station he had observed that the Smart Card Reader Machine was missing with the officials instead relying on manual accreditation. 

A subsequent witness and local government collation agent of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Kemoko Sunday alleged that results for seven wards in which Atiku had a clear lead were turned down by the commission’s ward collation officer.

Several other witnesses alleged discrepancies in the voting tallies in various locations.

The Tribunal is looking at a number of allegations relating to the outcome of the 2019 elections, including claims that PDP candidate Atiku Abubakar was originally from Cameroon.

The petitioners continue to make their case, following which the respondents, the INEC, President Buhari and the APC, have six days to present their defence.