Ben Ayade has been accused of secretly moving BVAS machines into the governor’s lodge in Calabar.
An investigative journalist, Agba Jalingo, has claimed that BVAS machines are being moved into the governor’s lodge in Calabar, under the cover of darkness.
The Cross River State born-activist, who made the claims on his official Facebook page, called on the attention of stakeholders in the state to quickly address the issues raised. He also alleged that the house where the BVAS are kept belongs to Ayade
In his exact words: “BVAS Machines are being moved into governor’s lodge in Calabar, under the cover of darkness. That’s Ayade’s house. All stakeholders should be worried!”
Meanwhile, many stakeholders have reacted to the claims raised by the journalist. One of the leaders who have reacted is a PDP senatorial candidate for Cross River northern senatorial district, Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe.
In a press statement issued by Team Jari Media, the senator advised all his supporters to remain calm, adding that the situation is being taken care of.
The statement reads in part:
“The attention of the Team Jari Media has been drawn to the rumours of movements of BVAS Machines, into the Governor’s Lodge, Calabar”.
“We advise our teeming supporters to remain calm, as every attempt at manipulating the 2023 elections will be an exercise in futility. The plans of political weaklings to compromise the electoral process are delusional”.
“We are on top of the situation and our Party will inspect all the BVAS Machines deployed by the ICT Department of the INEC Headquarters and take inventory of the received Machines and Election Materials, in company of the Anti- Graft Agencies, before the use of these Materials for the Elections”.
“The plan of replacing the original BVAS machines with the illegal ones procured by criminally minded politicians has been unravelled”.
“Corrupt INEC officials, who are involved in this criminality, will be exposed and prosecuted, in line with relevant laws”.
There is no window for criminals.
