The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given reasons why all electoral processes regarding the re-run parliamentary elections in Rivers state was suspended.
The electoral body gave the reasons through a statement issued by Director, Voter Education and Publicity, Oluwole Osaze- Uzzi.
According to INEC, “Pursuant to the orders of the Court of Appeal, but “rather unfortunately, some of these elections witnessed the disruption of the process, including the barricading of some of the INEC local government offices and Registration Area Centres (RACs) used for the distribution of electoral materials which led to the late commencement of the exercise in some places and consequently, its smooth take off.
“Of more serious concern was the level of threats, violence and intimidation of election officials and voters by well armed thugs and miscreants allegedly acting on behalf of some politicians, which marred the elections in some areas.
“There were reports of numerous attacks resulting in fatalities, kidnappings, ballot snatching, diversion of officials and materials, amongst others, which necessitated its suspension in 8 local government areas.
“Regrettably, such deviant behaviour has continued today (Sunday). Several permanent and ad hoc staff engaged by the commission have been attacked, again resulting in fatalities, while some have been forcibly abducted and taken to unknown destinations.
“Under such difficult circumstances, the Returning Officers were only able to collate and declare results in one federal and nine state constituencies where the disruption and malpractices were not so widespread.
“Having reviewed the situation, the commission is compelled to suspend all further action concerning the exercise in all the other constituencies in the state pending the receipt of a comprehensive report from its field officials and monitors.
“For the avoidance of doubt, it should be noted that the suspension does not affect the constituencies where the exercise has been completed and the results declared by the Returning Officers,” Osaze-Uzzi added.
Reports by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have it that President Muhammadu Buhari may have called an emergency meeting in Abuja over the bloody legislative rerun election in Rivers state.
The party had earlier in the day alleged that the president was already planning to declare a state of emergency in the state following the violence which has marred the election so far.
And in a series of tweets by the party’s official Twitter handle on Sunday evening, President Buhari has assembled some leaders of the National Assembly as well as many other lawmakers on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The meeting may yet be to declare a state of emergency in the state following the killings and unending violence in the south-southern state. Check out the tweets below:
Confusion ensued at the Mile one police station this morning 20th March , 2016 in Port Harcourt the Rivers state capital when the minister of transport, Rotimi Amaechi invaded the station with armed military men in an attempt to release one Mrs Ekwi Adebisa , an INEC collation officer that was arrested by the police for manipulating election results in favour of the APC at ward 10, PHALGA. Mrs Ekwi was arrested at Novotel Hotels, Port Harcourt where she was lodged by Rotimi Amaechi to enable them falsify results. Information of her clandestine acts led some of the electorates who tipped the police for her arrest. It was gathered that the PDP candidate for ward 10, Blessing Nsiegbe who once accused Amaechi of murdering her husband was allegedly leading with over 60 percent votes when Mrs Ekwi Adesina conspired to falsify the election results in favour of the APC.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="533"] Dakuku Peterside discussing with other members of the Amaechi squad at the police station[/caption]
The electorates who were at the collation centre raised an alarm and alerted the police who arrested her. On hearing of her arrest, Amaechi stormed the police station with heavily armed military men and attempted to release the lady. This was met with stiff resistance by the electorates who refused to leave the police station demanding that she be left with the police to face the full wrath of the law.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="642"] Amaechi with his aides arriving the station[/caption]
Governor Wike also hearing of the issue visited the police station demanding the police to ensure that the accused was handled professionally according to the law. However
Along with Rotimi Amaechi was the NDDC MD, Mrs Ibim Seminitari and Dakuku Peterside, the DG NIMASA who also led the APC crew rallied with a well armed military squad.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="708"] Governor Wike arrivig the police station[/caption]
Governor Wike also hearing of the issue visited the police station demanding the police to ensure that the accused was handled professionally according to the law. However, It was gathered that a call from the villa to the DPO of Mile one police station had him succumb and released the accused, Mrs Ekwi to Amaechi and his team.
The military men attached to the minister began shooting in the air to scare the electorates who were defiant to intimidation. The election has been marred with violence repeatedly perpetrated by the military in connivance with the APC according to the PDP. So far seven persons have been reportedly killed and many more wounded.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="674"] A section of the military men that came with Rotimi Amaechi[/caption]
As usual, the governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has lashed out at President Muhammadu Buhari. This time around, Fayose accuses Buhari of destroying the “free fair election” legacy laid by former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Remarking on the purported dysfunctions that took over the Rivers State Assembly rerun election, Fayose alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, was using Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to work against the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
“The open display of contempt for free, fair and transparent election by the All Progressives Congress (APC) government of President Muhammadu Buhari as being witnessed in Rivers state presently is capable of setting Nigeria on the path of anarchy,” he said in a statement issued on his behalf by Lere Olayinka, his spokesman.
“Rivers State is 100 percent PDP, and any attempt to subvert the will of the people will be counter-productive.
“Obviously, INEC under President Buhari has destroyed that legacy of free, fair and transparent elections bequeathed on Nigeria by the PDP government of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
“It is strange that INEC produced results sheets with PDP omitted, and I wonder what is going to happen in 2019 if INEC and security agents are acting in this clear compromised manner in Rivers state.
“From reports that I have heard, Rivers state is under siege. I have seen pictures of people killed and I have seen pictures of INEC Result Sheets with PDP omitted. Most importantly, I have read reports of top functionaries of PDP and Rivers state government either abducted by unknown gunmen or arrested by the security agents.
“What all these portend for our democracy is danger!
“It is a sign of what APC desperation to take over power in the entire 36 States of Nigeria will cause in Edo and Ondo States this year and in Ekiti State in 2018 as well as the entire country in 2019,” Fayose raised alarm.
Mrs Ekwi Adebisa[/caption]
Dakuku Peterside discussing with other members of the Amaechi squad at the police station[/caption]
Amaechi with his aides arriving the station[/caption]
Governor Wike arrivig the police station[/caption]
A section of the military men that came with Rotimi Amaechi[/caption]