THE All Progressives Congress, 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.
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.
“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.
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