The just-concluded Edo State governorship election has sparked outrage across Nigeria, with social media users taking to various platforms to express their concerns about electoral malpractices.
At the centre of the controversy is Ann Aderibigbe, Assistant Director of Electoral Operations at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Abuja.
She has become the subject of widespread scrutiny following viral claims of her involvement in manipulating election results.
A media report had alleged irregularities in the electoral process, igniting public demands for a thorough investigation into Aderibigbe’s role in the election rigging.
Nigerians, using the hashtag #ProsecutennAderibigbe, have been calling for INEC and other relevant authorities to hold Aderibigbe accountable, after reports that she directly influenced the outcome of the Edo governorship election surfaced.
According to several reports circulating online, Aderibigbe conspired with top INEC officials and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to disrupt the electoral process in key areas of Edo State.
She was said to have altered the results in favour of the APC, despite the Independent National Electoral Commission’s promise of free and fair elections.
One Twitter user wrote, “We deserve better from INEC. Ann Aderibigbe’s alleged involvement in manipulating election results is unacceptable. It’s time to clean up the system!”
Another tweet read, “The integrity of our elections is at stake. Ann Aderibigbe must be held accountable for any misconduct in Edo. Nigerians won’t tolerate this! #InvestigateAnnAderibigbe.”
Many Nigerians are particularly disturbed by reports that Aderibigbe allegedly asked INEC staff to send her their results but instructed them not to share the same information with anyone else.
This has fuelled suspicions that the election’s outcome was tampered with in favour of the ruling APC.
In addition to the allegations of falsifying results, Ann Aderibigbe is also accused of orchestrating chaos in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area to create a distraction.
The chaos allowed INEC officials and APC agents to remove sensitive election materials without the interference of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or election observers.
Many social media users have called for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Department of State Services (DSS) to step in and investigate Aderibigbe and other INEC officials who may have been involved in election fraud.
One user tweeted, “We cannot afford to let this slide. INEC needs to be transparent, and Ann Aderibigbe should face the full weight of the law if found guilty. #ProsecuteAnnAderibigbe.”
Another wrote, “If we don’t take action now, it will only get worse in future elections. Nigerians deserve better! #ProsecuteAnnAderibigbe.”
As the pressure mounts, INEC is yet to release an official statement addressing the allegations surrounding Ann Aderibigbe.
However, the viral nature of the accusations suggests that the commission may not be able to remain silent for long.
Many Nigerians are now calling for the Chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, to launch an independent inquiry into the role of Aderibigbe and others involved in the alleged election malpractices.
