By Dele Onatade
President of the Centre for Convention on Democratic Integrity (CCDI), Mr Olufemi Aduwo has punctured the accusations that Imo State governor, Sen Hope Uzodimma is opposed to the use of bimodal voters accreditation system
(BVAS) in the 2023 general elections.
Aduwo, at a press conference in Abuja at the weekend stated that investigation carried out by his group shows that Gov Uzodimma is favourably disposed to the use of BVAS, even as he is working to strengthen the electoral process in the state by fostering a level playing ground for all parties.
He said, “Our findings exonerated the governor but however established that he is working towards strengthening the electoral process in the state by fostering a level playing ground for all parties in the state to participate in the general election.
“Having been a beneficiary of the judicial legal system, it is preposterous for some politicians to have imagined that the alleged court process must have been initiated by the Imo State Governor. This is a baseless accusation, and we urge the public to ignore it as a figment of the people’s imaginations.”
CCDI was reacting to a recent press briefing by the Coalition of United Political Parties, (CUPP), where the spokesman, Ikenga Ugochinyere, alleged that the coalition is in possession of court papers filed in an Owerri High Court to stop the use of BVAS in the 2023 general elections. CUPP, however, did not disclose the plaintiff to the suit
But Aduwo in a statement at the weekend warned against frivolous and provocative statements, which he noted could harm Nigeria’s democracy.
He also urged he relevant security agencies to investigate the allegations of the CUPP to unmask and prosecute those behind the rumour.
The statement read in parts: “We are miffed by the alarm raised by the CUPP that there is an ongoing move to use the court in Owerri, Imo State to stop the use of BVAS in the 2023 elections, as well as a plot to ensure the sack of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu.
“We at CCDI proceeded with an intelligent investigation to ascertain the veracity of the claim and puncture the lie that the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma was responsible for the ulterior action.
“Our findings not only exonerated the governor, but it established that he is working towards strengthening the electoral process in the state by fostering a level playing ground for all parties in the state to participate in the general election.
“Having been a beneficiary of the judicial legal system, it is preposterous for some politicians to have imagined that the alleged court process must have been initiated by the Imo State Governor. This is a baseless accusation, and we urge the public to ignore it as a figment of the people’s imaginations.
“We call on appropriate security agency to investigate the weighty allegations by CUPP because of the implications on our judiciary system.”
