After Informant247 investigation, opposition candidates reject Kwara LG election results, demand justice
…Transparency group drags electoral chairman, Baba-Okanla to EFCC over N1.6bn funding
…Groups commend investigation, describe election as ‘sham’
Kwara State’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) councillorship candidates have denounced the outcome of the September 21, 2024 Local Government elections, calling the results “stolen” and accusing the state’s electoral commission of complicity.
Hinging on the findings of a two-month-long investigation released by The Informant247 on November 22, the candidates pointed out that the state electoral body, led by Baba Okanla, colluded with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to manipulate the election results.
“The election was a blatant robbery of the people’s mandate,” said Comrade Muftau Aromaradu, State Coordinator for the opposition candidates, at a press conference held on Thursday, November 28, in Ilorin, the state capital. “We will not stand by while our democratic rights are trampled upon.”
Referencing the investigation, the candidates outlined several irregularities, including insufficient electoral officers, late opening of polling stations, and discrepancies in the number of ballot papers provided.
The PDP candidates urged Kwarans to remain committed to reclaiming their mandates and vowed to fight for justice, with a focus on the 2027 general elections.
“We will continue to push for accountability,” Aromaradu said. “The will of the people cannot be ignored forever.”
Recalled that The Informant247 had on November 22 released the findings of a two-month-long investigation into how the state electoral body manipulated the outcome of the Local Government elections.
The report, produced with support and funding from Civic Media Lab, documented discrepancies in the election results, voter suppression, and widespread disenfranchisement caused by shortages of electoral materials, despite billions of naira allocated for the election.
The report also included exclusive footage showing how officials were tampering with thumb-printed ballot papers.
Transparency group drags electoral chairman to EFCC
In a related development, a Kwara-based group, the Kwara Transparency and Accountability Initiative, has also petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the Chairman of the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWASIEC), Mohammed Baba-Okanla, over alleged financial misconduct and corruption.
The Informant247 investigation had revealed how the state government released the sum of N1,620,709,540.00 to KWASIEC for the procurement of electoral hardware and software materials for the election.
The state government had initially allocated N1,000,000,000.00 for the election in the 2024 approved budget. However, it later revised the budget to N2,668,896,924.00.
Despite billions being released, the investigation revealed that election materials — primarily ballot papers, and in some cases, result sheets — were insufficiently provided at several polling units across the state.
These logistical challenges caused widespread suppression, according to the investigation, leading to frustration among voters, some of whom waited for several hours but still could not vote.
In the petition addressed to the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, dated November 28, 2024, less than a week after the report was released, the Executive Director of the Initiative, Nurudeen Adebayo, accused the electoral chairman of mismanaging the funds.
Adebayo contended that the poor execution of the electoral process raised questions about the proper utilization of the allocated funds, suggesting possible financial mismanagement.
He called for the arrest and prosecution of Baba Okanla to “restore public confidence and serve as a deterrent to other public officers”.
The group also called on the EFCC to investigate Dr. AbdulWasiu Tejidini, the head of the Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP), over alleged mismanagement of N12.6bn.
Adebayo added that the group had directed the petition to the EFCC Headquarters in Abuja, bypassing the Ilorin Zonal Office due to concerns about an alleged growing alliance between the Kwara State Governor and the Ilorin Zonal Office, which could potentially compromise local investigations.
“These officials do not enjoy immunity and should therefore be held accountable for their actions. We urge the EFCC Headquarters to intervene decisively, as Kwara State is presently enduring what appears to be the most corrupt administration in its history, allegedly under the supervision of the state governor,” the petition concluded.
PVAN condemns widespread irregularities, demands accountability for election funds
Additionally, The Peoples Voice Advocacy Network (PVAN) has called on the Kwara State Government and KWASIEC to provide a detailed account of the over N1 billion allocated for the September 21 Local Government elections.
PVAN’s demands follow the investigative report by Informant247, which the group commended.
The group criticized the lack of transparency and questioned the government’s commitment to accountability.
Comrade Abdullateef Ajadi, PVAN’s Head of Media and Communication, described the elections as a “sham” and said the state’s leadership had betrayed the promise of better governance.
He also criticized the Kwara State House of Assembly for its silence on the issue, accusing the Speaker of failing to hold the executive accountable.
The group vowed to continue pressing for justice, demanding a thorough audit of the election funds and calling for those responsible for the alleged fraud to be held accountable.
“Kwarans deserve better, and we will not relent until the truth is revealed,” Ajadi said.
