By Ezra Ukanwa, Abuja

EBONYI state indigenes have called on the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, PEPT, to act according to the law and dwell on the strength of verifiable and valid evidence.

Specifically, they alleged conspiracy and forgery of Independent National Election Commission, INEC, BVAS Report and Compliance Certificate of the Presidential and National Assembly Election, particularly in Ebonyi South Senatorial District.

The Ebonyi state indigenes, under the aegis of Odinmma Ndi Ebonyi, said this in a statement read by its Convener, Dr. Laz Ude Eze, at a press conference, Wednesday, in Abuja.

He said: “It has come to the notice of Odinmma Ndi Ebonyi that there may be an illicit cartel in the Headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that is allegedly specialized in the forgery of BVAS reports and other INEC documents for unscrupulous politicians to the detriment of the wishes of the Nigerian electorate. This much was revealed in a petition by aggrieved parties to the Inspector General of Police dated June 13, 2023.

“We are also aware that the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), a man of high professional standing and integrity, had on his appointment promised to “devour the internal enemies of Nigeria like a Lion”. Odinmma Ndi Ebonyi is convinced that there are no greater enemies of Nigeria than those focused on truncating her democracy and its gains so far. Accordingly, this is a test case for the IGP to prove his commitment and resolve to fight crimes to the hilt.

“We call on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to openly cooperate with the police and the Nigerian public to unravel this allegation in the interest of the integrity of the Commission and the development of our democracy.

“We call on all courts handling election petitions, especially in the case of Ebonyi state, to be on the alert and ensure that they are not hoodwinked or smeared by unscrupulous and desperate politicians, but discharge their duty according to law and; most importantly, on the strength of verifiable and valid evidences; in the interest of justice and rule of law.

“We also use this opportunity to call on the media, civil society and the general public to be vigilant and stand by Nigeria’s democracy by impressing it on INEC, the police and indeed the judiciary-the last hope of the common man-that justice must prevail!”