APC Demands Removal of Kogi REC, Kick Against SDP’s Inspection of Election Materials

The All Progressives Congress (APC) is urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to suspend the scheduled inspection of the November 11, 2023, Kogi gubernatorial election materials by the Social Democratic Party (SDP). In a statement by Mr Kingsley Fanwo, the Spokesperson/Director of Media and Publicity for the APC Campaign Council, the party is also calling for the removal and disciplinary action against the Kogi INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Gabriel Longpet.

The APC alleges that Dr Longpet is heavily compromised by the SDP and its candidate, expressing concern about the REC’s involvement in allowing the SDP’s legal team to inspect the election materials despite a preliminary objection raised by the APC’s counsels before the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja.

Mr Fanwo stated, “We call on the Chairman and Management of INEC to immediately halt any inspection of electoral materials used in the November 11, 2023, governorship election in Kogi, pending the determination of the Motion on Notice filed by INEC and others to set the Order of inspection aside.”

The party insists on initiating disciplinary processes against Dr Longpet, asserting that his message to INEC officials to proceed with the inspection on January 4 is an admission of graft and a confirmation of fraudulent activities in the state. The APC concludes by urging INEC to suspend or redeploy Dr Longpet from Kogi pending the outcome of the disciplinary process.