Benue Election results: David Mark, Ortom, Oker Jev, others storm INEC collation centres

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Former Senate Presidents David Mark, Iyorchia Ayu and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Benue North West senatorial candidate, Orker Jev, Sunday evening stormed the Makurdi office of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to protest the alleged hijack of election results from Gboko local government area, by soldiers while the results were being collated.

After a brief meeting with the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, the Governor told newsmen that they were in the office to make a formal complaint about the issue.
Ortom said, “we came here because we were apprehensive when we received information that few minutes ago soldiers went to the Gboko collation centre and took away the election materials while collation was ongoing without our agents accompanying them.

“We came to find out why they did that. But the REC said the action was for security reasons and also assured us that our agents would be present when the collation will commence.”

On the alleged arrest of the PDP State Central Agent, Dr. Cletus Tyokia, by yet to be identified security personnel, the Governor said his whereabout was still unknown.

“Up till now we have not been able to locate him since he was arrested from his house on Saturday morning at about 5am. We have checked at the State Police Command and Zonal Command there was no news about him.” Ortom said.

Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Commissioner, Mr. Omololu Bishi told newsmen that he was not aware of the arrested of Dr. Tyokia.

“We do not have him and we did not arrest him in the first. That was what I also told the PDP officials that came to me over the matter.” Bishi said.