HoR Primary: ‘No INEC Officials, No Materials’ — Mark Ogah Dismisses Ibaji APC Primary
An All Progressives Congress, APC. aspirant in the ongoing primary election, Hon. Mark Ogah Okpanachi, has rejected what he described as a “sham” electoral process in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State, alleging irregularities and the absence of approved electoral procedures across affected wards.
Okpanachi, in a statement issued on Saturday, said there was no evidence of any officially sanctioned electoral exercise at Inyano Ward, his polling unit, as of 1:17 p.m.
According to reports from the ward centre, there were no INEC officials, electoral materials, voters’ registers, or accredited personnel present at the location during the scheduled voting period.
The statement further alleged that the only individual seen at the centre refused to identify himself and was reportedly in possession of unstamped and unidentifiable materials lacking serial numbers or any traceable authentication.
Similar situations were also reportedly observed across the ten wards in Ibaji Local Government Area.
Reacting to the development, Okpanachi declared that any exercise conducted outside approved electoral guidelines and due process remained illegal and unacceptable, insisting that any result purportedly generated from Inyano Ward and other affected areas should be rejected.
“As an aspirant, this is not the democracy we are fighting for. What is happening is a direct assault on the integrity of the process and a dangerous attempt to undermine the mandate of the people. INEC should note that Nigerians are watching closely,” he stated.
The aspirant also called on the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to ensure that democratic principles are upheld during the exercise.
He warned against what he described as attempts by “desperate forces” to manipulate the process or impose an unpopular candidate on the people.
“This is not the time to sacrifice credibility and democratic values for narrow interests. Any attempt to impose an unpopular candidate through manipulation and procedural fraud may have serious consequences for the party ahead of the 2027 general election,” he added.
Despite rejecting any result that may emerge from the exercise, Okpanachi urged his supporters to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding, expressing confidence that the leadership of the APC would act in the interest of justice, fairness, and democracy.
