Occupy Nigeria group holds protest in Abuja over presidential election

- Some Nigerians have taken to Abuja to protest President Buhari's election

- The group of protesters said card readers were not used in many polling units in the country

- The protesters promised to continue with the protest for a week

Some Nigerians under the platform of Occupy Nigeria took over Unity Fountain, Abuja to protest the declaration of President Muhammad Buhari as winner of the just concluded presidential election.

The group on Monday, March 4, condemned in its totality the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the Saturday, February 23 presidential election which took place across states in the country.

READ ALSO: Why PDP lost presidential election - Akpabio opens up

Speaking to Legit.ng, Idris Usman, the convener of Occupy Nigeria, a coalition of civil society organisations and Nigerians from all walks of life said the decision made by INEC must be reversed and due process followed in ensuring that the vote of every Nigerian counts in the 2019 presidential election.

Usman said the group in collaboration with observers who were ground during the election observed card readers were not used at all in some states of the country.

"With the Occupy Nigeria, we have over 50 civil societies under it. We've done a petition to INEC, for once in Nigeria, there has never been a time when decision was reversed.

"Despite that what we are saying is that this decision ( a declaration of 2019 presidential election winner by INEC) did not settle well with the people.

"Our own is simple, where card readers were not used in north, let card readers be used, anybody can win but let the proper thing be done," Usman said.

Condemning the use of military in the past election, Usman said the presence of soldiers at the polls already violates the law.

READ ALSO: Caution Atiku - Buhari Campaign Organisation tells EU, AU

Citing the Osun gubernatorial election which took place in September 2018, Usman argued that no leader was announced until the election was concluded.

He said: "In Osun gubernatorial, no leader was announced till the process was concluded, so why was INEC in such a hurry to announce the result of the 2019 presidential election?"

He also said the protest would continue for four hours every day until Friday, March 8.

According to Usman, if the electoral body fails to yield to the petitions the group would occupy the commission's headquarters in Abuja.

Also in a statement signed by Okpanachi Jacob, the co-convener of the Occupy Nigeria said the journey towards credible elections in Nigeria must not be jeopardise.

Okpanachi stating that the electoral system in Nigeria is retrogressing into resignation and fatalism said INEC must open its backend servers to stakeholders in the process.

He said voting must be conducted for millions of Nigerians who were disenfranchised, the presence of military in areas of no crisis be withdrawn, fresh elections be conducted where card readers were not used and perpetrators of violence in the last election especially in the Niger Delta be brought to order.

PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigeria’s #1 news

He also called for justice against thugs who harassed voters in Lagos and urged the international community to call the ruling party to order as Nigerians will not accept a President that has not been duly elected by majority of Nigerians.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that the INEC presented the certificate of return to President Buhari and his running mate, Yemi Osinbajo, following the victory of the APC in the February 23 presidential election.

NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng Same great journalism, upgraded for better service!

INEC announces Buhari as 2019 election winner, Nigerians react | - on Legit TV

Source: Legit.ng