Olusegun Olanrewaju

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial candidate for Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has sent a petition requesting an investigation into some electoral offences allegedly perpetrated by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Chairman of Adavi Local Government Area of the state on Election Day.

In the letter of request sent to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the candidate is requesting for probe into the destruction of election materials, obstruction of election, intimidation, and harassment of INEC officials, as well as voters on election day by the local government chair, Joseph Omuya Salami.

The petition by the solicitors, Samuel Ogala, Esq, to IGP by the client, Akpoti-Uduaghan, noted that she contested on the PDP platform to represent Kogi Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly general election of 25th February 2023.

It noted, that, “Between 12pm and 2pm, while voting and collation of results was ongoing on the 25th February 2023, several of our client’s polling agents in Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State reported to our client that the Chairman of Adavi Local Government Area, Kogi State, Hon. Joseph Omuya Salami, in the company of his police escorts, were going around destroying ballot boxes that were already thumb printed by voters in favour of our client at the various polling units.

“Our client’s agents were able to capture on camera the criminal activities perpetrated by Hon. Salami at the polling unit with Code 034, along Eid Prayer Ground, Nagazi/Farm Centre Ward and Polling Unit 033 Mikab Model School, Nagazi/Farm Centre ward, Adavi Local Government Area, Kogi State, where he was destroying polling materials, ballot papers, intimidating voters and harassing electoral officials with the aid of police officers and thugs.

“He went to other polling units where he tore ballot papers already thumb-printed in favour of our client to reduce her wild margin against the candidate of the APC.”

The letter added, “There is no doubt that the unwholesome activities of Hon. Joseph Omuya Salami, the Chairman of Adavi L.G.A. constitutes very grave offences under the Electoral Act, 2022. Hence, it is our client’s instruction to request you to use your good office to investigate the said offences which contravene sections 115(1) (f) and (j), 125 and 126(1) (j) of the Electoral Act, 2022, which are punishable under Section 125, 126(3) (4) of the Electoral Act 2022.

“To facilitate your investigation, we hereby attach the tape of the tearing of ballot papers by Hon Salami to facilitate your investigation.

“Kindly accept the assurances of our highest esteem as we await your timely intervention in this regard.