2011: Group Vows To End Rigging In Abia

Abia State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in collaboration with some civil society organisations under the aegis of Abia State Free and Fair Elections Committee (ASTAFFEC) is evovlving a blueprint designed to end rigging in the state during the 2011 general elections. 

CAN said the group wants to ensure credible polling in the state where the votes of the people must count in choosing their leaders. 

“Our votes, this time, by the grace of God, would count (because) we are determined to find solutions to the demons of electoral malpractices and we know that victory will be ours,” said the chairman of Abia CAN, Bishop Goddy Okafor who is the General Overseer of Aba-based Peculiar Peoples’ Ministry.

To effectively tackle election riggers, the CAN chairman said that ASTAFFEC would soon come out with a blue print of their plans to ensure that people’s votes would start to count in Abia.

 Okafor, told newsmen at the end of the maiden meeting of stakeholders/elders consultative forum organised by ASTAFFEC, that the gathering was desirous of creating a favourable atmosphere where Abians would have unfettered freedom to vote for the candidates of their choice.

“We want to be the voice of the voiceless. We represent our people who feel that Abia people deserve good things (by) having a government that represents the vision of Abians,” he said.