The APC ignored my earlier warnings on plans by the
PDP in the state to massively rig the elections in their favour. I had received
a call precisely on the 15th of March from a close friend in Abuja telling me
of how his friend, an INEC contractor, had revealed to him that Nyesom Wike
allegedly approached him through a surrogate, to avail them the serial numbers
of all the ballot papers and registered PVCs for Rivers state.
My friend, who is a staunch member of PDP in Anambra
state but resides in Abuja, has sympathy for the APC, according to him, because
of Gov. Amaechi's boldness. He quickly put a call to me at exactly 11.38pm and
gave me this information since he doesn't have direct links to the leadership
of the APC in the state. In my own zeal, I quickly contacted a few persons who
are high-ranking officers in the APC.
Unfortunately, they failed to treat it urgently more
so, when they presumed to have more support than the PDP.
But elections in Nigeria do not reflect the actual
votes cast most times. Even Gov. Amaechi confirmed this recently when he said,
"in the past, we used to write results. But this time, we are going to vote".
The question is: Did Rivers people actually vote? Why didn't the governor and
his APC make sure that the votes counted, if they are now shouting blue murder?
They probably started the celebrations before the
party began. Though there are allegations of compromise on the part of the INEC
officials, which is not strange but the APC was a bit complacent and not
rugged. A lot of things are taken for granted by those who have already taken
up offices in the yet to be formed government.
They forgot that Amaechi was already endangered
specie, who had received threats to be imprisoned once President Jonathan won.
He had to focus more on how to get a Buhari victory. Amaechi relied on the
strength of his popularity and performance in the state.
He probably believed that Wike was a bad sell who
would not deliver PDP. The APC was more of a conglomerate of 'holy' and honest
men who did not want to soil their hands with violence, blood and outright
rigging. They underestimated the fact that Wike and the bulk of his key men
have been residents of Abuja who have mingled with the who is who in INEC. They
knew where to press the button and with a huge financial war chest, coupled
with the financial support from NDDC, they paid for what they needed.
In this game, as I have experienced it, you can't be
stingy with funds or give money to the wrong hands.
There must be an existing relationship or you must be
prepared to pay heavily. Amaechi is not prepared to pay anyone!
But if he can't pay, why can't his men pay? In any case,
who is his hatchet man?
Abuja should not be a place for relaxation only in
five star hotels but a place to meet with those who matter in the scheme of
things.
Now, the APC is still basking under the euphoria of
winning the presidential elections which they hope will help them in reclaiming
their mandates for the NASS elections; the PDP has again stepped their game in
what they know how best to do.
The original result sheets have been reprinted, the
ballot papers have also been printed with the already obtained serial numbers
of the originals, card jammers have been procured to make sure the Card Readers
don’t function in some areas. The results have been computed!
The only way to stop them is to change the ballot
papers with new serial numbers, and arrest all those involved in this impunity,
no matter their status.
All the security personnel attached to these suspects
must be withdrawn within 24 hours to the election. All these must be done
coupled with the change of INEC staff and ad-hoc staff who have been accused of
compromise.
If these can't be done, then the APC may have to
discard its garment of holiness and buy their own for the elections or they may
end up making Wike a HERO.
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