A plot to rig the forthcoming elections in Kogi and Bayelsa State has been
uncovered, a group, Peace Network Initiative (PNI) claimed on Saturday.
The advocacy group promoting non-violence, peace and development, said in
a statement in Abuja that some powerful vested interests were on top of
the plot to rig elections in the two states in favour of the All
Progressives Congress (APC) which are in the opposition in both states.
In the statement signed by its National Secretary, Chidi Azuka, and made
available to the media, the group stated that names of some APC registered
members were being compiled to serve as key officials to conduct the
governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states. It also revealed that
in order to ensure the success of the rigging plot, top security officials
in the strategic agencies were to be deployed to oversee the elections.
The security officials, the group further claimed, were already being put
together with a clear instruction “to deliver APC candidates in Kogi and
Bayelsa”. It was also revealed that the entire plot has a “strategic link”
with the presidential race in 2019, with the understanding that both
Bayelsa and Kogi states would be key to advancing the electoral fortunes
of the APC and as such “all necessary steps” must be taken to win the
states in the next round of elections.
The PNI, which condemned the plot, warned the leadership of the PDP to be
at alert, stating that the rigging plot was real and being co-ordinated by
a powerful politician in the South West region of the country.
“They are very serious about the rigging plot and no one should
underestimate their capacity for evil. The PDP in particular must take
necessary action and be on guard, they are serious”.
But in its reaction to the development Saturday, the Ijaw Youth Council
(IYC) said it will resist any attempts by anyone, body or institution of
the APC-led Federal Government to rig the election in Bayelsa State in
favour of the APC candidate.
In a statement by the Chairman of IYC, Central Zone, Comrade Bobolaiyefa
Owopele, the body called on President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure a
credible, free and fair election in the December 5 polls.
It said a credible election was the minimum expectation for peace and
order, noting that the Federal Government should emulate the PDP-led
government under the immediate past President Godluck Jonathan which
established and operated vital institutions which conducted transparent
elections in which President Buhari became a major beneficiary.
“The case of Bayelsa State is peculiar given the facts of history. If APC
aspirants can mutually trade such wanton violence among themselves as we
saw recently, it simply suggest that there is every likelihood it will
unleash even more devilish attacks during the governorship election
proper. Needless to say such eventuality will not augur well for the peace
and tranquility of the state”, he stated.