The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) has suspended electoral process in River states amidst reports of the invasion of its office headquarters in Portharcourt.
A statement signed by Festus Okoye, Chairman, National Commission, Information and Voter Education Committee said the suspension is due to reports, from its officials, of widespread disruption of elections conducted on the 9th of March 2019 in Rivers State.
He said the initial reports suggest that “violence occurred in a substantial number of polling units and collation centres and that its staff have been taken hostage and materials including result sheets have either been seized or destroyed by unauthorised persons”.
“Safety of our staff appears to be in jeopardy all over the state and the Commissions is concerned about the credibility of the process.
“Consequently, at a meeting held today 10th March, the Commission has decided to suspend all electoral processes in the state until further notice. This is in line with Section 26 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) and clause 47 (e) of the Regulations and Guidelines of the Commission.
“The Commission has also established a Fact-finding Committee to assess the situation and report back within 48 hours.
The INEC appealed to the people of Rivers State, particularly the voters, for their understanding assuring them that the Commission will look into the circumstances of these disruptions and what further action needs to be taken.
Meanwhile, an official of INEC speaking to reporters in Portharcourt has confirmed that persons in military uniform have taken over its office in Portharcourt.
Before the suspension of electoral activities in Rivers, the results tripping out from various polling units in Rivers state especially in Khana, Gokana, Tai, Eleme, Oyigbo, Abua Odual, Bonny, Akuku Toro, Degema, Ahoada, Ikwerre, Opobo Local government Areas indicates that the candidate of the AAC is leading gov Nyesom wike with a wide margin.
Some PDP party agents had claimed that soldiers locked up all PDP chieftain in the various areas in Rivers state. Some were also bitter that the Gov didn’t release funds while the AAC candidate who is backed by the APC is sharing money and buying votes secretly.
Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi is has endorsed the candidate of AAC as the APC has no candidate for the governorship election as its candidate have been disqualified by the Supreme Court.
Over 14 patrol vans excluding two Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) were used in blocking the GRA junction. The situation caused gridlock and palpable panic in Port Harcourt and its environs.
Journalists were barred from crossing the barricaded areas, except a few media houses, who the military claimed were accredited to have access to INEC office.
