The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, says the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) violated the 2022 Electoral Act by announcing a “manipulated result” in the February 25 presidential election.

Atiku, a former Vice President, said the announcement of the presidential election results was in violation of INEC’s guidelines which the electoral umpire repeatedly claimed to uphold ahead of the 2023 general election

The PDP presidential flag-bearer stressed that the “electoral fraud” perpetrated by INEC will be reversed soon.

He this via a statement issued on Wednesday.

Atiku said: As attested to by both local and international observers, the result of the February 25 presidential election as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission was grossly tainted and did not reflect the will of the electorates. Nigerians have demonstrated against this blatant injustice through different mediums. And for that, I thank them again for their non-violent conduct despite the provocations.

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Indeed, what the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) did in announcing the manipulated result was a clear breach of not only the 2022 Electoral Act but also of its own guidelines which the electoral commission had repeatedly claimed would uphold the standards we had seen in the Osun and Ekiti elections. Curiously, the INEC Chairman further ignored calls for a review of the process in line with the amended law.

“But all hope is not lost. As citizens desirous of a better Nigeria, we must never give in to apathy. The electoral fraud perpetrated by INEC will be reversed in due course as we step up the cause to reclaim our mandate.”

The former Vice President, who thanked Nigerians for participating in the just concluded presidential and National Assembly elections, urged the citizens to continue to show resilience in the defence of the country’s democracy and in the exercise of their rights to vote.

He also enjoined the PDP supporters to turn out en masse and vote for the party in Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly elections, adding: “There is no better way to demonstrate against the sham of an election of February 25 than for patriotic citizens like you to turn out en masse this Saturday to vote for a greater and prosperous Nigeria as envisioned by the PDP.

“I urge you to cast your votes peacefully and in strict compliance with the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines. And having cast your votes, be vigilant and protect those votes,” Atiku stated.

The Star