Rivers Re-run Elections: CTC Chairman, Others Decry Hitches

The Caretaker Committee
Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government Council, Sir Sunny Samuel Ejekwu has expressed disappointment over the last Saturday’s re-run election in the area, stating that the Independent National Electoral Commission was not properly prepared for the election despite its promises.
Ejekwu who was at the INEC headquarters on Saturday to register complains over late arrival of materials in some Wards in his Local Government Area noted that as at 2.00pm some polling units had not received electoral materials.
“I have my doubts that INEC was prepared for the election because as at 2pm, some units just had materials. Ioabuchi and Sacred Heart areas received materials late, and the University of Science and Technology (UST) Areas were yet to get material as at 2pm.
‘’ If INEC was properly prepared, I wonder why an election that was supposed to begin by 8am could not commence till 2pm. Voting ought to have ended by 2pm. What is the guarantee that people will not be disfranchised’’, he querried.
He expressed disappointment over the process, noting that if logistics were put right, even  the materials  should have gotten to the polling units not later than 10am.
He however, advised that INEC should put their acts together subsequently and get Nigeria out of this nightmare.
Also speaking, Hon Chinyere Igwe said election was calm in his Ward and Units and denied any irregularities. Adding that as at 1.45pm, things were going on smoothly, without violence.
Chief Ogbams Ojimah said voting went on smoothly in Ward 2 in the Port Harcourt City Local Government, but regretted that materials came late.
The Tide learnt that the Collation Officer in Ward 2 did not show up till 9.pm.
Barrister Clifford Oparaodu who was at the collation centre, said the area was peaceful but the collation officer disappeared and did not show up.
He noted that despite the provocation, the people were able to maintain peaceful atmosphere and patiently waited for the collation officer.
According to him ’’Election in Port Harcourt is always peaceful. It has never been known to be violent and each time we have elections here it goes on peacefully, even if there are instances that would have caused provocations which may have led to crisis and violence, they  are properly handled’’.