‘Why We Boycotted Rivers LG Polls’

The Rivers State Chairman
of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP),Prince Deacon Princewill Enyi, has explained why about 17 political parties boycotted the last local government elections in the State.
Enyi who spoke with The Tide in an interview, explained that the political parties under the aegis of   “Concerned Political Parties in Rivers State”, had alleged that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) was ill prepared for the election and should comply with the ruling of the Federal High Court asking all parties to maintain  status quo in the case seeking to restrain the INEC from releasing the voters register in Rivers State to the RSIEC.
He said the group, before the 23rd of May election, had advised the electoral body to postpone the elections and set aside the processes, but to no avail.
The NNPP boss also alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) conducted its primary elections even after the deadline given by the election body.
According to him, the APC’s primary elections were held on Tuesday, 19th of May 2015, four days to the elections, describing it as illegal and unacceptable.
Enyi recalled that  the group also advised RSIEC before the election to take steps to fulfill all conditions precedent before the elections can be held, adding that RSIEC did not do it, hence they boycotted the election.
He, however, admitted that the 17 political parties had  earlier accepted to participate in the local government election on the understanding that all conditions precedent, including the obligations of the commission to the political parties, would be met.
According to him, ‘’Unfortunately, the facts on ground then showed that RSIEC was ill prepared and insincere in the processes for the conduct of the elections.
“Asa result of that, we lost confidence in their ability to conduct a free and fair election.
“While RSIEC had claimed that INEC had released official voters registers to it, the INEC had informed public that no such registers have been released to the RSIEC. This is outright deceit and embarrassing.’’
He alleged that based on the petition signed by the 17 political parties in the State, the commission breached the relevant laws and rules and deviated from conventions and observance of the process.