By Odo Ogenyi,Uyo
The Young Progressives Party (YPP) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of working with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to undermine the electoral process in this weekend’s guber polls in Akwa Ibom.
State chairman, Apostle Nyeneime Andy told a press conference in Uyo yesterday that the party has received intelligence of plans by the commission to either delay the process, send inadequate materials and indliterate the security agencies in opposition areas inorder to disenfranchise voters in those areas.
Andy who called on the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Cyril Omorogbe to use his office to restore the confidence in the process pointed out that the last Presidential/National Assembly elections were allegedly rigged in the state by INEC and PDP to favour the later but vowed to resist every attempt to rig this weekend’s polls.
“From credible intelligence, the State PDP with the latitude of INEC has perfected plans to rig the forthcoming polls as follows:
Voting materials meant for Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency must not leave INEC office until 12.30pm on Saturday March 11th, 2023.
“Voting materials meant for the entire Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District must not be complete in some Federal Constituencies and must not leave INEC office before 10.00 a.m.
“Voting materials meant for Eket Senatorial District must leave INEC office on time as it is the presumed ‘sure bet zone’ for the PDP as the State Governor hails from there. The early departure of materials for the district is to be well publicised to distract attention or disclaim any accusation about late transportation of materials to any other locations.
“PDP thugs in company of illegal police officers and some genuine military personnel will be drafted to strongholds of opposition parties (emphasis was on YPP) to disrupt election through violence and destroy all the voting materials and even pretend to kidnap some INEC officials so as to exonerate INEC from the deal.” He explained.
The chairman also alleged that plans have been completed by both parties to preset the BVAS and inflate figures during the collation of results.
“We are also alerted that some BVAS have been preset with figures in favour of PDP before commencement of voting. In such instances, the 0000 on the BVAS will not be seen.
“Credible intelligence also has it that the State REC has been instructed to inflate the figures, during collation of results, in favour of PDP in a situation where the plan on the field did not materialize.
“Credible intelligence has also proved that millions of dollars and pounds sterlings are being shared and distributed by Governor Udom Emmanuel and his cohorts to vulnerable Akwa Ibomites to buy their consciences and votes in the forth coming election of March 11th, 2023.
“The State Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the Managing Director of Hensek Engineering Services are the major conduits of this funds.” Andy enumerated.
In order to enable the electorates elect candidates of their choice through a free, fair and credible excercise, Andy called on INEC to ensure that original result sheets and all relevant materials are timely delivered.
He also appealed to security agencies, International Observers and the Embassies in Nigeria to take curious interest in Akwa Ibom so as to checkmate any unwanton activitiesn and carry out thorough investigations.
