Mr Olufemi Oguntoyinbo, the Governorship candidate of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Ogun, has threatened legal action against INEC over omission of his party’s name on the ballot papers used for Saturday election.
Oguntoyinbo made his intention known in a statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen in Ibadan on Sunday.
The NTV Africa reports that Oguntoyinbo cast his vote on Saturday in Ofada, Obafemi/ Owode Local Government area of Ogun.
“By the grace of God, we are going to court to challenge INEC on why they failed to put our party’s name on the ballot papers. I’m disappointed in INEC,” he said.
Oguntoyinbo, however, described the omission of his party’s name on the ballot papers, as “a ploy to rob me and the party victory in the just conducted governorship and State Assembly elections”.
He said that apart from omitting the party’s name from the ballot papers, the election was marred by manipulations and irregularities.
Oguntoyinbo accused APC and PDP of intimidating and harassing his supporters, as well inducing the electorate through vote-buying.
He said that the party had earlier written a letter to INEC to ensure inclusion of his party’s name on the ballot papers, instead of only the logo.
According to him, INEC in its wisdom decided to rob the party of victory by refusing to correct the error, hence, the need to challenge it constitutionally by going to court.
“On the ballot paper, I cannot see my party, the NNPP. After writing to INEC to make amendment before the election, but to our surprise, we could not find the name, but only the logo.
“In spite of this, there was no security during the election in my polling unit, where I cast my vote, as the APC gathered hoodlums to attack me.
“I’m so disappointed that people can’t move around freely to the extent that they were dragging guns with my security,” he said.