• APC Collation agent stabbed in Khana LGA
• Elections in Rivers State a Sham, Ameachi
Despite the orgy of killings, rampage by gunmen, burning of houses and vicious attacks on specific targets executed by domestic and imported militias across Rivers State, the All Progressives Congress, APC, has taken early an lead in the April 11, governorship election. Interim reports collated and declared at some polling units show that APC and PDP exchanged victories and losses in their local government areas of strength and weakness.
For instance, Port Harcourt Ward 018 Polling Unit 012, APC scored 130 while PDP received 84 votes. However in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Ward 003 PU 001, PDP scored 62 whereas APC has 41. In Eleme Alode Ward 2, of the 11 Polling Units, APC won in 9 while PDP secured victory in only 2.
The results await the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, confirmation and announcement.
APC Collation agent stabbed in Khana LGA
As election crisis escalate in Rivers State, APC Collation Agent in Khana Ward 15, Unit 10, Gbogbo Eric has been stabbed by hoodlums accompanying members of the PDP. There are indications that agents of the APC are falling victim to several forms of electoral malpractices and perpetrated by member of the PDP in the presence of security agents provided to ensure their security.
The Greater Together Campaign Organization is distressed by the high rate of insecurity witnessed thus far in this election and have taken all necessary steps to ensure the protection of all its members. APC Agents and members are however advised to be safety and security conscious and forward all violations to the appropriate quarters.
Elections in Rivers State a Sham, Ameachi
Rivers State Governor and Director-General of Buhari Campaign Organization, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has described Saturday’s Governorship and House of Assembly elections in the state as a sham.
Amaechi made his position clear while fielding questions from journalists after casting his vote at Ward 8, Unit 14, Ubima in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the State.
He said the elections witnessed thuggery and ballot box snatching in most parts of the state coupled with violence.
Referring to the election, the governor said: “I think it is a sham. You noticed what happened in Omagwa, what happened was that somebody called me and said they were been attacked at a particular polling booth and I went there, the thugs were overwhelming until another group of soldiers came before they ran away.
“Don’t forget that the report was that our people were been attacked, so I came to rescue the people who were been attacked. When we came, you saw the thugs yourselves, so how do you stabilize the system when already the system has been taken over by thugs?”
He noted that the Nigerian Police failed in their responsibility to the people to provide peaceful atmosphere for the electoral process.
“I think there must have been an arrangement between the police and the PDP for the state to be overrun by thugs and you know, the funniest part is that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) promised us over 2,800 mobile policemen. What you see is just one Deputy Commissioner of Police John Amadi orchestrating conniving with the PDP to orchestrate all these violence against APC members and Rivers people.
“Yesterday, Mr. President(Goodluck Jonathan) withdrew the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Tunde Ogunsaki and ordered him to go back to Calabar just because he arrested a DPO who took out four wards result sheets and gave to militants working for PDP”.
Amaechi said that thuggery, violence and hijacking of electoral materials marred the electoral process across the state.
“You have been following me around and I am sure you must have seen the kind of thuggery that was on display, you have seen materials been hijacked”, he said as he noted some election officials were ambushed along the way by political thugs.
He blamed the retention of INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state Gesila Khan for the cause of election malpractices in the State.
“If INEC had posted the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) away, we wouldn’t have been here. If the Commissioner of Police and the President had allowed the police to function properly, we won’t be here.”
“In the Ogoni area, you have one Area Commander, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, harassing people, arresting APC members. Then you have in the state DCP John Amadi. By 2a.m this morning, he was busy in Nyesom Wike’s father’s house writing results.”
