Obidient Movement Rejects Abuja Council Poll Results, Urges INEC to Address Allegations

Africa, Politics

ABUJA, NIGERIA (NPA): The Obidient Movement has rejected the outcome of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) chairmanship election held over the weekend, alleging irregularities and violence during the polls. Speaking at the group’s secretariat in Abuja on Monday, National Coordinator Dr. Yunusa Tanko described the election as “a brazen assault on the foundations of democracy,” accusing security agencies and electoral officials of failing to ensure transparency.

Tanko claimed that party agents were harassed and intimidated, leading to the killing of one agent, Musa Abubakar, at a polling unit in Gwagwa. He alleged that ballot boxes were targeted by hoodlums and that voter apathy was worsened by poor communication from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding polling unit changes. The group, which backed African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate Dr. Moses Paul, demanded a full review of the results and justice for the slain agent.

The Obidient Movement praised former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi for mobilizing supporters, noting that his involvement boosted turnout despite challenges. Tanko insisted that the people’s mandate was “stolen in broad daylight” and urged INEC to act swiftly to restore confidence in the electoral process. In Saturday’s election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) won five of six council chairmanship seats, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured victory in Gwagwalada.