TheCable

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed surprise at allegations that it has printed fake poll materials ahead of the rerun election scheduled to take place in Rivers state, Saturday.

Also, Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers state, had accused INEC of plans to rig the rerun election in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

But, speaking with journalists on Wednesday after President Muhammadu Buhari swore in six national resident electoral commissioners (REC), Mahmoud Yakubu, the INEC chairman, assured Nigerians that electoral body would continue to discharge its responsibilities according to law.

“INEC is poised to consolidate on the achievements of the 2016 elections. We will not be distracted by the allegations; we will do what we have always done to the best of our ability bearing in mind that we have a responsibility to the Nigerian nation,” Yakubu said.

“We would go to Rivers, conduct free, fair and credible elections, declare winners and leave the next level to the judiciary. However, there is nothing new that we are going to do in rivers beyond what we have always done‎.

“Votes must count because ultimately it is the people of Rivers that will determine who will become their senators, members of the house of Representatives and the members of the state assembly. We want to pledge to Nigerians that we will never shirk in that responsibilities. We will continue to discharge our responsibilities according to the law and the constitution of this country.”

He also said that it was strange that INEC was accused of printing fake sensitive materials ahead of the Rivers rerun.

“First, we have no proof of printing sensitive material in the state where elections is conducted. At the time the allegation was made, we had not even awarded the contract for the printing of the sensitive materials. So, it came as a huge surprise to us,” he said.

“But we have gone ahead to invite the police and the State Security Service (SSS) to investigate the matter because we are also interested in getting to the bottom of it. But is really strange to say that INEC will print fake material for elections. Is like accusing the Central Bank of printing fake Naira notes. Who has the original?”