Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for declaring the 2023 presidential election result at 4 a.m.
CityNews reports that Baba-Ahmed described the timing of the announcement as wrong and accused the electoral umpire of acting improperly.
He spoke during an interview with Symfoni.
The former LP vice-presidential candidate said Nigerians should not ignore the circumstances surrounding the declaration of the result.
He stated, “I keep saying, and I sometimes I wonder, we Nigerians, why do we just take everything to pass?
“How can an INEC chairman promise African leaders, including Nelson Mandela’s younger brother, Thabo Mbeki, that he would announce the election result by 9 am but sneaked and did the announcement by 4 am?”
Baba-Ahmed said an electoral body that announces results at such an hour should be questioned.
He further stated, “Isn’t this person a thief? Isn’t he a crook to announce results by 4 a.m.? This is wrong.
“Look, you’re a Nigerian. I’m a Nigerian. Well, I know I did my part. I tried to stop it, but it has passed.”
He also criticised President Bola Tinubu for leading a government that emerged from the process.
Baba-Ahmed said, “And how can you shamelessly be leading a government that was announced at 4 a.m.? Who works at 4 am? Criminals!
“The INEC that announces a result at 4am is a criminal INEC. Believe me.”
