Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has faulted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the timing of the announcement of the 2023 presidential election results, describing it as inappropriate and questionable.
Speaking during an interview on Symfoni, Baba-Ahmed argued that Nigerians have not paid enough attention to the circumstances surrounding how the results were declared.
He questioned why the INEC chairman allegedly went against an earlier commitment to announce the results at 9 a.m., but instead declared them around 4 a.m.
According to him, such a development raises serious concerns about the integrity of the process.
He said: “I keep saying, and I sometimes wonder why we Nigerians just take everything like that.
“How can an INEC chairman promise African leaders, including Nelson Mandela’s younger brother, Thabo Mbeki, that he would announce the election result by 9 a.m. but sneak and do the announcement by 4 a.m.?”
Baba-Ahmed further insisted that an electoral body that releases results at such an early hour should be questioned, adding that the situation was unacceptable.
He also directed criticism at President Bola Tinubu, arguing that it was improper to lead a government that emerged from what he described as a flawed process.
He added: “And how can you shamelessly be leading a government that was announced at 4 a.m.? Who works at 4 a.m.? Criminals!
“The INEC that announces a result at 4 a.m. is a criminal INEC. Believe me.”
His comments have continued to generate reactions amid ongoing debates about the conduct of the 2023 general elections.
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