Confusion in Rivers over state of election
There is so much confusion in the air in Rivers state, where Saturday’s parliamentary and presidential election was marred with technical hitches.
Election did not hold in several parts of Opobo Nkoro, Ikwerre, Okrika Asari-Toru and Ghokana local government areas and a few others.
While the All Progressives Congress (APC) boycotted the election in several parts of the state, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is alleging that the boycott was due to APC’s fear of defeat.
APC is calling for cancellation of the election in the state, claiming that Gecila Khan, the resident electoral commissioner (REC), was conniving with PDP to rig the election.
Supporters of the party staged a protest to the headquarters of the commission on Sunday, demanding that their request be met.
The party members who came in thousands almost overpowered the security personnel who surrounded INEC office.
Some of the protetsters
However, the collation officers of other local governments where election held did not turn up at the INEC headquarters all through the night or in the early hours of the day.
The few journalists who assembled at the commission’s office were stranded and the officials refused to address the situation.
“We are still expecting them to arrive from the local government. As you can see we all are on ground,” an official, who pleaded anonymity told TheCable around 10:45 pm on Saturday.
Up till 11am on Sunday, election had not commenced in most of the polling units where the process was extended.
When our correspondent visited Atako Ward 3 unit 6, Port Harcourt local government area, voters were found idling away.
“We don’t understand what really is happening,” said Gogo Emmanuel, a voter.
“None of the card readers that they brought here functioned through out yesterday and no one could be accredited and they promised to conduct the election today and some of us have been here since 7am.”
Michael Ata, a party agent, also expressed dissatisfaction with the situation.
“They promised us that they would be coming this morning but we have been waiting here for several hours and have not seen anybody.
“We are not happy because there are many voters in this unit and we would not want to be disenfranchised.”
Meanwhile, rampaging youths set ablaze the office of INEC in Emohua local government area around 12pm on Sunday.
Everyone I have been in contact with, PDP and APC, said the election exercise went on very well. I am not sure therefore why we are having this post event drama. It is more worrisome when this platform gives credence to the drama, and without a sense of balance or verification.