The Chairman, Rivers State
Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Bro. Felix Obuah says he received
the renewed statement by the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, through
the Resident Commissioner in Rivers State, Mr. Aniedi Ikoiwak, reiterating the
Commission’s position to declare results of the cancelled March 19, 2016
Legislative Elections in Tai LGA, in disobedience of a subsisting court order,
with grave disappointment and suspicion of grand conspiracy between it and the
All Progressives Congress, APC.
The PDP Chairman believes that
this action has further exposed the Commission’s compromised stance and
confirmed an undisputable pact between some of its officials in the State and
in Abuja, and candidates of the All Progressives Congress, who are afraid of
contesting a free, fair and peaceful election in the State.
It is suspicious hearing that
the same INEC that cancelled elections in eight local government areas,
including Tai LGA, and which Mr. Ikiowak today, Monday September 20, admitted
that “the issue of suspension, like it affected other areas, was done in the
course of elections”, and as earlier explained, on grounds of electoral fraud
and violence, has now, after six months, made a u-turn, and apparently,
succumbing to APC’s pressure and influence to declare results of elections that
never took place.
The PDP urges INEC to stop
blowing hot and cold, saying rather than taking actions to redeem its already
battered image as result of series of inconclusive or postponed elections under
the current administration, the Commission, through the like of Zakari Mohammed
and Aniedi Ikiowak, is still conducting itself in the most undignified manner
to prove it remains an unrepentant and have its hands soiled by the desperation
of the APC and its candidates, Mr. Magnus Abe and Barry Mpigi.
It is important we remind Mr.
Ikiowak, who said the decision of the Commission to cancel the said elections
did not get to the EOs, and so they could not communicate same to those who
were in the field, that the EOs he is referring to, after receiving the
suspension order, announced the decision to stakeholders and potential voters
at their various duty posts, and it was pursuant to this order that the
electoral process in the LGA was discontinued.
Again, how can Ikiowak solicit
confidence of the people in an institution that has derailed and planning to
rob the people of their mandates. It is only an institution that is upright and
strongly upholds the tenets of democracy, including the conduct of a
participatory election and declaration of results that truly represent the
popular view of the masses that can enjoy such confidence as demanded by the
Rivers REC, Mr. Ikiowak.
One thing that is clear to us is
the fact that Mr. Ikiowak and his INEC are only testing the waters, but should
be aware of the implications of declaring fake results and conniving with
desperate politicians to destroy the nation’s democracy and cause anarchy in
the land.
We therefore, urge INEC to
retrace its steps, impress on some of its staff and officials, including Zakari
Mohammed and Aniedi Ikiowak, to discontinue the compromise and conspiracy with
the APC, which has today put the Commission in bad light.
We will not allow this rape of
democracy and abuse of people’s right to succeed, Obuah maintained.
Signed
Jerry Needam
Special Adviser on Media
and Publicity
To the Rivers PDP
Chairman, Bro Felix Obuah
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
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