by Kingseyi Sun Aug 19, 2018 3:33 pmThe All Progressives Congress (APC) has
applauded Rivers State electorate for bravely
defending their votes despite the violence and
snatching of electoral materials at last
Saturday’s by-election.
APC logo
The APC in a statement issued by Mr Yekini
Nabena, its National Publicity Secretary, on
Sunday in Abuja, however, alleged that the
violence was perpetrated by the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP).
“Nigerians will recall how the PDP speaking
through its national spokesman, Kola
Ologbondiyan last Tuesday vowed to deploy all
means, schemes, shenanigans in all ramification
and magnitude to rig all coming election.
“While we condemn the PDP-sponsored violence
and failed attempt to rig the by-election, the
APC calls on the Rivers state electorate and
indeed all Nigerians to continue to stand their
ground, ”the statement said.
It also called on the electorates to resist any
attempt to rig elections in the country, saying
that votes must count and that people’s will
must prevail in all elections.
The statement called on the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) and
relevant security agencies to deal anyone
involved in rigging in the forthcoming general
election.
The by-election to fill the vacant positions in
the Port Harcourt State Constituency III had been
suspended by INEC, following cases of violence
and electoral malpractice that characterised the
exercise.
Mr Obo Effanga, the Resident Electoral
Commissioner (REC) in Rivers, who announced
the suspension on Saturday night, cited
widespread violence as reasons.
The by-election was conducted by INEC to fill
the vacancy left by Victor Ihunwo, now
Chairman, Port Harcourt City Local Government
Area.
Effanga stated that because the exercise was
marred by widespread violence, it was
suspended in accordance with Section 26 of the
Electoral Act 2010.
“INEC has decided to suspend the election
forthwith,’’ he had said.
NAN
applauded Rivers State electorate for bravely
defending their votes despite the violence and
snatching of electoral materials at last
Saturday’s by-election.
APC logo
The APC in a statement issued by Mr Yekini
Nabena, its National Publicity Secretary, on
Sunday in Abuja, however, alleged that the
violence was perpetrated by the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP).
“Nigerians will recall how the PDP speaking
through its national spokesman, Kola
Ologbondiyan last Tuesday vowed to deploy all
means, schemes, shenanigans in all ramification
and magnitude to rig all coming election.
“While we condemn the PDP-sponsored violence
and failed attempt to rig the by-election, the
APC calls on the Rivers state electorate and
indeed all Nigerians to continue to stand their
ground, ”the statement said.
It also called on the electorates to resist any
attempt to rig elections in the country, saying
that votes must count and that people’s will
must prevail in all elections.
The statement called on the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) and
relevant security agencies to deal anyone
involved in rigging in the forthcoming general
election.
The by-election to fill the vacant positions in
the Port Harcourt State Constituency III had been
suspended by INEC, following cases of violence
and electoral malpractice that characterised the
exercise.
Mr Obo Effanga, the Resident Electoral
Commissioner (REC) in Rivers, who announced
the suspension on Saturday night, cited
widespread violence as reasons.
The by-election was conducted by INEC to fill
the vacancy left by Victor Ihunwo, now
Chairman, Port Harcourt City Local Government
Area.
Effanga stated that because the exercise was
marred by widespread violence, it was
suspended in accordance with Section 26 of the
Electoral Act 2010.
“INEC has decided to suspend the election
forthwith,’’ he had said.
NAN
