2019 Elections: Why APC failed in Cross River – Buhari’s Aide

The All Progressives Congress performed below expectation in Cross River because of a statement made by the Resident Electoral Commissioner, which allegedly swayed the votes in favour of the opposition, an aide to President Muhammadu Buhari, Obono Obla and the Cross River State Commissioner for Finance, Asuquo Ekpenyong, have said.

Obla, a Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Prosecution, said the statement made by the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Frankland Briyai, regarding the Appeal Court ruling which declared that APC had no candidates for the governorship and National Assembly elections, confused the voters.

He and Asuquo expressed their displeasure over the outcome of the presidential election in some local governments in the state.

Both spoke on Monday at the state headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission, where the presidential election results from local government areas were being collated.

Obla complained that APC’s fortunes at the polls were adversely affected because of the statement made by the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Frankland Briyai, regarding the Appeal Court ruling which declared that APC had no candidates for the governorship and National Assembly elections.

“The statement he made on the eve of the elections discouraged a lot of our supporters from going out to cast their votes,” Obla alleged.

He said the party might seek redress in court over alleged electoral malpractices in some local government areas which adversely affected the party’s performance.

Governor Ben Ayade’s aide, Asuquo Ekpenyong, also expressed his dissatisfaction with the results from Ekureku 1 and 2 in Abi LGA where he said the smart card readers malfunctioned.

“I want the election results from those areas cancelled and a fresh election conducted,” he said.

Both of them presented complaints bordering on various alleged malpractices during the elections to the REC and the state returning officer for the presidential election, Prof. Akin Ibhadode.

Responding, Frankland Briyai said he had been fair to all political parties in the state before and during the elections and that INEC would do everything to ensure free, fair and credible elections.

“Since you have submitted your complaints, allow due process to follow.

“The complaints will be forwarded to our headquarters for necessary action,” Briyai said.

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