The walk-out was triggered by an insistence from the PDP agent that the results announced by the State Collation Officers (SCOPEs) should have first been uploaded on the INEC results viewing portal (iReV) for transparency and accountability. In response, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, cautioned Melaye not to disrupt the collation process.
However, the 11 parties that dissociated themselves from the walk-out have expressed their support for the INEC process and called for calm among political parties and their supporters. They have urged all parties to respect the outcome of the elections and allow the electoral body to complete the collation and announcement of results.
The incident underscores the high stakes involved in Nigeria's electoral process, with political parties and their agents often disputing the outcome of elections. It also highlights the need for transparency and accountability in the process, which is critical to ensuring the credibility of the results.
As the collation process continues, it is important for political parties and their agents to exercise restraint and refrain from actions that could undermine the integrity of the elections. The electoral body must also remain vigilant in ensuring that the collation process is free and fair and that the final results reflect the true wishes of the Nigerian people.