Following   the controversy that trailed the presidential and National Assembly election over allegations of rigging in Akwa Ibom State on March 28, a group of stakeholders in the state has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and its Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in the state to ensure that the gubernatorial and state House of Assembly elections in the state are held in a free and transparent manner tomorrow.

In a statement in Uyo yesterday, the convener of the group, Chief Ubong Ikpat, exonerated the state’s REC, Mr. Austin Okojie, from any involvement in the alleged rigging in the presidential and National Assembly elections of March 28, saying that political stakeholders in the state know that the alleged rigging of the controversial elections were planned and executed in Abuja by the powers that be, without the knowledge and contribution of the REC.