A plot to rig the forthcoming elections in Kogi and Bayelsa State has been
\nuncovered, a group, Peace Network Initiative (PNI) claimed on Saturday.
\nThe advocacy group promoting non-violence, peace and development, said in
\na statement in Abuja that some powerful vested interests were on top of
\nthe plot to rig elections in the two states in favour of the All
\nProgressives Congress (APC) which are in the opposition in both states.<\/p>\n
In the statement signed by its National Secretary, Chidi Azuka, and made
\navailable to the media, the group stated that names of some APC registered
\nmembers were being compiled to serve as key officials to conduct the
\ngovernorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states. It also revealed that
\nin order to ensure the success of the rigging plot, top security officials
\nin the strategic agencies were to be deployed to oversee the elections.<\/p>\n
The security officials, the group further claimed, were already being put
\ntogether with a clear instruction \u201cto deliver APC candidates in Kogi and
\nBayelsa\u201d. It was also revealed that the entire plot has a \u201cstrategic link\u201d
\nwith the presidential race in 2019, with the understanding that both
\nBayelsa and Kogi states would be key to advancing the electoral fortunes
\nof the APC and as such \u201call necessary steps\u201d must be taken to win the
\nstates in the next round of elections.<\/p>\n
The PNI, which condemned the plot, warned the leadership of the PDP to be
\nat alert, stating that the rigging plot was real and being co-ordinated by
\na powerful politician in the South West region of the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are very serious about the rigging plot and no one should
\nunderestimate their capacity for evil. The PDP in particular must take
\nnecessary action and be on guard, they are serious\u201d.<\/p>\n
But in its reaction to the development Saturday, the Ijaw Youth Council
\n(IYC) said it will resist any attempts by anyone, body or institution of
\nthe APC-led Federal Government to rig the election in Bayelsa State in
\nfavour of the APC candidate.<\/p>\n
In a statement by the Chairman of IYC, Central Zone, Comrade Bobolaiyefa
\nOwopele, the body called on President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure a
\ncredible, free and fair election in the December 5 polls.<\/p>\n
It said a credible election was the minimum expectation for peace and
\norder, noting that the Federal Government should emulate the PDP-led
\ngovernment under the immediate past President Godluck Jonathan which
\nestablished and operated vital institutions which conducted\u00a0 transparent
\nelections in which President Buhari became a major beneficiary.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe case of Bayelsa State is peculiar given the facts of history. If APC
\naspirants can mutually trade such wanton violence among themselves as we
\nsaw recently, it simply suggest that there is every likelihood it will
\nunleash even more devilish attacks during the governorship election
\nproper. Needless to say such eventuality will not augur well for the peace
\nand tranquility of the state\u201d, he stated.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15763,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-42512","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n