By Samuel Oyadongha

Yenagoa—A rights group, Niger Delta Watch for Democracy, NDWD, weekend, raised alarm over an alleged plot by the leadership of the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressive Congress, APC,  to use the Department of State Service, DSS, to rubbish and indict the state Resident Electoral Commissioner,  Mrs. Gesila Khan over the conduct of the governorship poll in the state.

The group noted that though the APC decision to file a petition before the Election Petition Tribunal was a constitutional right of all political parties, it decried the plot to malign and bring to public domain unfounded allegations of fraud against Mrs. Khan.

NDWD  in a statement in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State by its President, Edwin Ebiowe, alleged that preliminary investigation showed that the APC leaders in Rivers State had recruited defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers State to petition the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, with unfounded and frivolous allegations in order to smear her profile and image over the just concluded governorship election in the state.

He said:, “We have also observed with dismay the desperation and negative influence of the APC leaders, former governor, Rotimi Amaechi and their cohorts to vent their anger and bitterness on the REC over the party abysmal loss at the polls during the just concluded general elections in Rivers State.”

He noted that though all matters relating to the elections in Rivers were before a constitutionally recognized election petition tribunal, “The desperation of the APC leaders and the name calling of Khan is misplaced and a show of shame.

“Dame Khan is like any other REC that conducted the last general elections and performed her duties credibly as enshrined in the election guidelines and constitutions. We are interested in equity, justice and democratic values in the Niger Delta region, we can hear the voice of Jacob and the hands of Esau in this unholy drama.

“We are calling on the DSS and the EFCC not to compromise through the influence and desperation of undemocratic politicians, who are trying to influence a matter that is presently before a competent electoral tribunal for adjudication.

“We also appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari, all security agents and lovers of our nascent democracy to be wary of the grand plots against Mrs. Kahn and intervene in the matter.”