TAP Initiative, a Civil Society Organisation, has petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences (ICPC) over alleged manipulation of Edo governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) staff.

The group in the petition by its Executive Director, Martin Obono, urged the ICPC chairman to investigate and prosecute members of staff of INEC involved in the alleged election’s results forgery.

Obono said that the petition was submitted under Section 26 of the ICPC Act, 2000, which makes it an offence for any public officer to corruptly confer any advantage upon themselves.

He claimed that some INEC officials were involved in corrupt practices and forgery during the Edo governorship elections held from Sept. 21 to Sept. 22

He, therefore, urged the anti-graft agency to prosecute INEC Chairman and Edo Electoral commissioner for the role played in the alleged manipulation of the elections result in Edo.

“We write to bring to your attention serious allegations of corrupt practices and forgery involving certain staff and members of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the Edo governorship elections held from September 21 to 22, 2024.

“This petition is submitted under Section 26 of the ICPC Act, 2000, which makes it an offense for any public officer to corruptly confer any advantage upon themselves or any other person through their position.

“The recent Edo State governorship elections were marred by significant irregularities, some of which were perpetrated by all political parties without exception,” he said.

He accused the electoral body of deliberate manipulating and falsifying the results of governorship election in Edo.

“INEC announced results that differed from the original data obtained from the IReV. A comparison between the result sheets from IReV and the Certified True Copies issued by INEC revealed discrepancies.

“Although the serial numbers, polling units, and wards matched, the results differed. In some cases, the number of registered voters was altered, and the signatures of the Presiding Officers were forged, with the signatures of Polling Unit Agents either absent or also forged.

“Additionally, a forensic examination conducted by a South African graphologist confirmed that the Certified True Copies issued by INEC were predominantly authored by a single individual,” he said

According to him, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, should be investigated  for authorizing the printing of two different result sheets.

“The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Edo State should also be prosecuted for overseeing these fraudulent elections, and the INEC legal officer in Benin who issued the Certified True Copies.

“What transpired in Edo State constitutes a heist orchestrated by an institution that should serve as a guardian of our democratic process. If this institution is compromised, the very foundation of our democracy is at risk.

“We hereby request that the ICPC, in line with its mandate under Section 6(b) of the ICPC Act, 2000, conduct a thorough investigation into these allegations.

“Our organization and its partners are prepared to provide further information and evidence to assist your investigation,” he said.

Speaking, with newsmen after the submission of the petition Obono said “it is regrettable that INEC is involved in institutional electoral fraud. INEC ought to be a gate keeper but it is now involved in direct rigging, and subverting the will of the people.

“We will take a step further to write the United Kingdom, United States of America, European Union and other foreign donors to stop funding elections in Nigeria, since they are being defrauded by the electoral body,” he said.

Obono dismissed the apologies tendered by INEC chairman, Prof Mahmoud Yakubu, for the mistakes made by the electoral body during the conduct of the Edo guber poll

“Apology does not erase criminality committed against the people,” he said.

The group therefore demanded that all those involved in subverting the will of Edo people in the last governorship election must be brought to justice.

The ICPC Spokesperson, Demola Bakare, said “the anti-graft agency will look at the petition and take necessary action that falls within the jurisdiction of the agency.”