APC, Others Demand Cancellation of Rivers’ Polls

THE All Progressives Congress, APC All Progressives Grand Alliance and the Social Democratic Party, have demanded  the cancellation of the governorship and House of Assembly elections in Rivers State.

The parties in a joint press briefing also asked that fresh elections be conducted on a new date, maintaining that the  polls were marred by violence and intimidation of voters.

The governorship candidate of APGA, Mr. Charles Harry, explained that with the killing of five members of the APC  during the elections, the exercise failed to meet the minimum standard anywhere in the world.

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Harry, who spoke in Port Harcourt on behalf of the governorship candidates of other political parties on Sunday, observed that elections did not hold in most parts of the state and called on the Independent National Electoral Commission not to declare any result.

“As you are already aware, the April 11 governorship and House of Assembly polls were fraught with violence and unbridled manipulation and intimidation by the Peoples Democratic Party, the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies.

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“In most parts of Rivers State, elections didn’t hold at all as violence was unleashed on Rivers people. In Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, there were at least five reported deaths, all of which were members of the APC.

“Those killed include Obinna Ndubuoke, Jeophat Kingdom, Ndidi Ebere, Sydney Wokocha, and Clever Orukwowu (APC Youth Leader). Among the injured is Evangelist Faith, who was beaten to stupor at Dere in Andoni Local Government Area. Her whereabouts is still unknown

“Mr. Alifor Onyeso was shot by armed thugs led by Kelechi Nwogu, the PDP candidate for Omuma for House of Assembly. Chimenem Wagu, was shot by the PDP thugs and still in critical condition in Omanwa in Ikwerre Local Government Area.

“In Gokana Ward 4, Tambari Ngiah was kidnapped from his polling unit 005, In Khana Ward 2, Richard Dee Kae was injured with a machete and is in critical condition. In Khana Ward 15, Eric Gbobo was stabbed,” Harry said.

He described the election as a record breaker and an embarrassment based on the alleged gross irregularities that shaped its conduct.

According to the APGA governorship candidate, the story of Saturday’s election was one that left sour taste in the mouth of any sane person.

He said, “From start to finish, each segment was meant to be a failure, an embarrassment on the decency and decorum of Rivers people.

Speaking in Saturday’s election, the APC governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, said the exercise was characterised by violence and killing of his party supporters and members.

“I don’t think they (INEC) will announce the result. When there is no election, there should not be a result. There was no security; if there were security, hoodlums would not be shooting for 12 hours.”

Reacting, the PDP governorship candidate, Chief Nyesom Wike, disagreed with the position of the political parties, adding that the PDP defeated them at the polls.

Wike, who spoke through his Media Assistant, Mr. Simeon Nwakaudu, urged the APC and other political parties to emulate President Goodluck Jonathan and congratulate the winner of the governorship election.