BY DAMOLA EMMANUEL
The State Collating Officer for Ondo State, Professor Kayode Soremekun, also Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, FUOYE, caused a stir at the INEC Collation, Abuja, on Monday, seriously embarrassing the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
Earlier in the day, the collation officer had been called for his presentation, apparently after he had signified his readiness, only to buckle each time he was invited.
When he finally mounted the podium for his presentation, after three postponements, the apparently confused Professor, accompanied by the Resident Electoral Commissioner, appeared disorganised as he shuffled the collation document several times; stammering as he wobbled through until a frustrated Prof. Yakubu asked him to step down.
Before then, he had severally misplaced results already projected on the screen, eliciting murmurs from party agents, journalists and monitors at the centre. To save face, he complained about the illumination and even requested a ruler.
“At this point, I think we have to step down this presentation,” said the INEC chairman. “Go and reconcile the figures; then, we will invite you.”
After the State Collation Officer for Gombe finished his presentation, at 6.35 p.m., the INEC chairman called the Ondo collation officer to resume his presentation. The Professor was still not ready.
“It appears that Ondo will require at least 20 minutes to get a ruler and additional illumination,” Prof. Yakubu said sarcastically. “So, we grant Ondo the required 20 minutes. We will adjourn now, and reconvene at 8p.m.”
A member of the audience was so frustrated that he said: “This Professor is a complete mess! Did he forget his glasses at Ondo or what? Or has he been hypnotised?”