The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives
Congress (APC) has demanded the immediate suspension of the State Resident
Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs. Gesila Khan, for colluding with the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) to rig last weekend's presidential and National Assembly
elections in the State.
“For Mrs. Khan to have removed the INEC result sheets
in all the polling units in the State, with the intention of rigging the polls
is a very serious criminal offence. Mrs. Khan should not only be suspended but
should not be allowed to conduct the April 11 Gubernatorial and State Assembly
elections, as well as the Presidential and National Assembly elections when
rescheduled,” the party said in a statement issued in Port Harcourt by the
State Chairman,
Dr. Davies
Ibiamu Ikanya.
Rivers APC commended INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru
Jega, for acknowledging the party's petition on the evil practices associated
with the polls in Rivers State.
“We are very
convinced that if our case is thoroughly investigated it will be confirmed that
the State REC, Mrs. Khan, compromised her office and tarnished the good image
of INEC,” the party stated.
It defended the action of the State Governor, Rt. Hon.
Chibuike Amaechi, in requesting to see the INEC result sheets and other
sensitive materials for the conduct of last weekend's polls, saying: “The
Governor took that step as we were aware that the State REC had traded off the
result sheets to PDP to write the results as they deemed fit. Amaechi wanted to
prevent a situation whereby people would queue to vote while PDP and INEC would
write a different result not reflecting the true voting pattern in the State.”
Rivers APC condemned the conduct of soldiers deployed
for the election, saying that contrary to court order, PDP not only used the
army to intimidate APC supporters and coerce Rivers State voters to vote for
PDP.
“It is sad that the PDP leadership in Rivers State
could be so callous to arm the youths in order to kill and maim Rivers State
people because of election. We know that Rivers people are peace-loving and
arming some of the youths at this time does not do anyone any good because it
may be difficult to retrieve some of these arms from these youths later,
thereby constituting a serious security challenge,” Rivers APC said.
It declared that Rivers PDP does not have any agenda
to move the State forward, which informed its rejection by Rivers people.
If Rivers State people are allowed to vote, President
Jonathan and Chief Nyesome Wike can never secure up to 10% of votes cast in the
State in any election based on all the evils the duo have committed against
Rivers State.
“As a party we will do everything humanly possible to
ensure that the verdict and wishes of Rivers State people are honoured and
implemented and that they are allowed to vote without any intimidation or
coercion,” Ikanya said.
Attached is the copy of our petition to the INEC
Chairman, Prof Jega and relevant pictures for your study and action.
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