The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr Baritor Kpagih has denied authorizing cancellation of results of election in Southern Ijaw local government during the inconclusive Governorship election in Bayelsa State.
“I can’t just wake up and cancel an election. I was with three National Commissioners that day and we even wanted to brief all the political parties. But it was getting too dark.
‘’The statement I read that day was a prepared statement, it wasn’t an offhand thing. I even said it thrice that I was reading the statement on behalf of the commission.”
Kpagih claimed that the cancellation of the result which rendered the governorship poll stalemate was not premeditated.
He also dismissed claims in some quarters that he went into hiding after the cancellation, clarifying that he merely took time off after the poll with the permission of the INEC chairman, to take a deserved rest and see his family.
“I don’t know what they want from me. In Nigeria, when things are not going the ways of some people, they start attacking individuals, instead of the issues involved”, he lamented.
“I was baffled when I was hearing that I have run away and all sorts of things. I am fine and alive, but my major worry is that we are still doing things the way we have always done up till today. Instead of cross checking facts, people just write things as they like,” he added.
By Olisemeka Obeche