APC Demands That INEC Prosecutes Anambra Governorship Candidate Within 24 Hours

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to commence prosecution of Maduabuchi Willie Obiano, the candidate of the All Peoples Grand Alliance (APGA) in next Saturday’s gubernatorial election in Anambra State.

Mr. Obiano is accused of allegedly registering as a voter more than once as is allowed under the law, and in more than one state.
In a letter today to the chairman of INEC, Mr. Festus Keyamo announced that he has been retained for the prosecution of Mr. Obiano.

Recalling previous instances in which INEC has stated that it would prosecute cases of multiple registrants, APC drew attention to the situation in Anambra, noting that it puts the Commission’s resolve to test.

“This is the case of one “Obiano, Maduabuchi Willie,” a voter registered at Otuocha Ward 1, Polling Unit 004, Eri Primary School 1 of Anambra East Local Government Area. From the Voters’ Register made available to all the political parties including our client, the said “Obiano, Maduabuchi Willie” was issued a Voter Identification Number (VIN) 90F5B12B88377091121 at 2:18 pm on August 21, 2013. Further, the said Obiano was again issued with another Voter Identification Number 90F5B15E7D378200332 at exactly 10:25 am on September 3, 2013.”

It is stated in the letter that apart from the clothes worn by Obiano on different days, all the other features of the voter were the same.

“Also, it is now public knowledge that the said “Obiano, Maduabuchi Willie” had earlier registered at Ifako/Soluyi Ward 2, Polling Unit 060 - Junction of Ramot Oluwakemi Street, Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State. His Voter Identification Number (VIN) is 90F5B12B01296204172 while his serial number on the Voters’ Register is 416,” the statement said, attaching a copy of the document evidencing the said registration at Ifako/Soluyi Ward 2 of Lagos State.”

Blaming the INEC for their reluctance to prosecute the suspect, the lawyer drew attention to Section 12(2) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), according to which one person is not allowed to register in more than one registration center or to register more than once in one and the same center. According to another section also referred to, the violation of this rule is considered an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine or imprisonment.

On those grounds, it gave INEC a 24-hour ultimatum to commence the prosecution of Mr. Obiano or it would apply for Mandamus to compel the Commission to carry out its statutory duty.

Appearing on SaharaTV last Saturday, Kayode Idowu, the Chief Press Secretary of INEC, confirmed that the commission was aware of the controversy surrounding the multiple registration of Mr. Obiano, but he did not say if he would be disqualified for that reason.


Sahara Reporters