300,000 Nigerians Sign Online Petition for Cancellation of INEC Chairman Visas Over Election Irregularities

Following the announcement of the presidential election results in Nigeria by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC on Wednesday, reactions have erupted from the citizens, observers and political parties.

On Thursday, over 300,000 Nigerians signed a petition online drawing the attention of foreign countries and international bodies to stop the visas of the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

The All Progressives Congress, APC candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu was declared the winner of the Saturday’s presidential election with 8,794,726 votes, defeating Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) who had 6,984,520 votes; Labour Party’s Peter Obi who polled 6,101,533 votes and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) with 1,496,687 votes garnered.

Investors King findings showed that as of Thursday morning about 316,071 people, in the online petition alleged that Yakubu rigged the election in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The petitioners called on the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and European Union authorities to cancel the visas of the INEC Chairman.

Osusu, who started the election, enjoined more Nigerians to sign the petition to further expose the irregularities and malpractices observed during and after the election.

He said, “I started this petition because Mahmood refused to do the will of the people. He rigged the election for APC against the will of the Nigerian voters. I am so very excited to see like minded people. So grateful guys.  Let’s keep sharing.”

The presidential election results have been greeted with several criticisms as voters, observers and analysts said the election was characterised by rigging, disenfranchisement, Bimodal Verification and Accreditation System (BVAS) manipulation, lateness of INEC officials to the polling units amongst others.

The Labour Party and Peoples Democratic Party have expressed displeasure over the electoral process and its outcome, thereby rejecting the election results. 

The parties vowed to challenge the results in court after calling for the resignation of the INEC Chairman and cancellation of the polls.