Probe Plot To Swap Rivers Poll Result, Mitee Tells FG …Allegation Is False -INEC

From Right: PDP Chairman South-South, Cairo Ojuigo, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, Deputy Governor Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Deputy National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus and Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Austin Opara during the Rivers West Senatorial District Campaign rally at Ahoada last Saturday.

A human rights activ
ist in Rivers State, Mr Leedum Mitee, has called on the Federal Government to investigate the alleged plot to swap result sheets in the forthcoming re-run elections in the state.
The Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike had alleged a plot by the Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon Chibuke Rotimi Amaechi, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Commissioner, Amina Zakari to swap authentic results from polling units with fake ones during the March 19, 2016 rerun elections in the state.
Mr Mitee made the call on Wednesday, while responding to questions in a television programme tagged: “Security Situation in Rivers and Re-Run Election”, organized by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) to proffer solution  to insecurity and election malpractice ahead of the rerun election in the state.
According to him, rumours without investigation can highten tension  in the rerun elections.
He called on the Federal Government to investigate any allegation either against officers of the commission or the adhoc staff to reduce tension in the rerun elections.
Mitee also called for more awareness of the new voting process endorsed by INEC to conduct the Saturday’s rerun elections whereby accreditation and voting are to be done simultaneously.
According to him, many voters, especially those in rural areas have no ideas of the new voting process, fearing this might lead to poor voting by the electorate.
But the INEC Director for Voters Education, Oluwole Osaze Uzzi denied the allegation of swaping result  sheets, saying there was no any linkage between any INEC officer and politicians to do such things.
He said the INEC’s preparation towards the rerun elections was organized in such a way that no politician can have his or her way to manipulate result sheets or carry out rigging in the rerun elections.
Mr Uzzi reassured that, tomorrow’s rerun elections would be conducted in a way that the electorate  would have the right to choose candidates of their choice without molestation and harrassement.
He said the era of rigging had passed and that with the assistance of security agencies INEC will do something different and acceptable by law  in tomorrow’s re-run elections.

Enoch Epelle