Police operatives and thugs associated with the All Progressives Congress (APC) blocked officials of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from conducting a court-ordered inspection of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Benin.
PDP officials who arrived this morning to carry out the inspection, as mandated by a court directive, encountered strong resistance. The inspection was prompted by concerns from the PDP regarding potential manipulation of voter accreditation during the election. Notably, INEC staff also prevented PDP officials from accessing the materials, claiming they were awaiting permission from INEC chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who is currently in Dubai.
A senior PDP official commented to the press, stating, “We came here with a valid court order to inspect the BVAS machines, but APC thugs and police officers have surrounded the place and are not allowing us entry. This is a blatant disregard for the rule of law, and it raises serious concerns about the transparency of this election.”
He continued, “The APC knows that their candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, is unpopular and lacks the backing of the people. They are now resorting to force and intimidation to prevent us from ensuring that the election process is fair and credible. We are not asking for anything beyond what the law guarantees us—a free and fair election. By preventing us from inspecting the BVAS machines, the APC and their security enablers are sending a clear message that they have something to hide.”...Read Full Article [Click Here>]
In response, the PDP’s legal team is exploring avenues to enforce the court order and assert their right to inspect the election materials. Party leaders have urged the judiciary, civil society organizations, and international observers to intervene to ensure the electoral process remains transparent and free from intimidation.
“Our democracy is on the line here, and we cannot afford to let INEC, thuggery, and police interference derail the will of the people,” the PDP official concluded.
