By Omeiza Ajayi
ABUJA – The All Progressives Congress APC has kicked against the results of Saturday’s governorship election in states of the South South, alleging foul play by the Peoples Democratic Party PDP in connivance with the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC.

An All Progressives Congress Party (APC) supporter waves a party flag while celebrating initial results released by the Nigerian Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kano, on February 25, 2019, two days after general elections. – Nigeria’s main opposition on February 25 accused the ruling party of trying to rig presidential elections, as the incumbent made early gains but monitors voiced concern about polling day problems, including dozens of deaths. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of President Muhammadu Buhari of colluding with the electoral commission in an attempt to “manipulate the results”. (Photo AFP)

National Vice Chairman, South South of the APC, Ntufam Hilliard Eta who made the allegation Monday in Abuja said the ruling party ‘observed with great disappointment the ugly developments in the just concluded Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections held on Saturday 9th of March, 2019, and the subsequent release of results by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC for States of the South South geopolitical zone; viz: Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Delta States”.

According to him, the results do not reflect the wishes of the people and are therefore rejected by the party. The party also asked INEC to immediately conclude all electoral processes in Rivers state.

“We wish to categorically state that the results released by INEC are not a reflection of the wishes and will of the people as they expressed at various polling units. We have received several complaints to the effect that in areas where our great Party held sway and won the elections at the unit levels, the various returning officers of the States, in connivance with agents of the PDP, will cancel results of such areas of our strength.
There are also reports that where elections could not hold due to violence, results are announced in favour of the PDP. Furthermore, in some units where the card readers failed, results are also allocated to such areas, and subsequently announced in favour of the PDP. Sadly, there are reported cases of box snatching in areas of APC strongholds, results are announced In favour of the PDP. It is incomprehensible that INEC could allow themselves to he so used to usurp the collective will of the people and this is equated to a broad day light robbery, and this is unacceptable.

“In view of these obvious and aforementioned anomalies and double standards, the All Progressives Congress APC in the South South geopolitical zone, outrightly reject in its entirety the results declared by INEC for Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Delta States, respectively. We will do everything legitimately right to ensure that this injustice would not stand and the perpetrators are brought to book.

“Also, we call on INEC to speedily complete the process of conducting free, far and credible elections in Rivers State, in order to calm frayed nerves and douse unnecessary tensions.

“We wish to use to medium to call on our teeming members, supporters and youths to remain calm and not take the laws into their hands in the face of this mm attempt of injustice”, he stated.