APGA CALLS FOR CANCELLATION OF N'ASSEMBLY ELECTION IN RIVERS

The All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in Rivers State has called for the cancellation of the April 9 National Assembly elections, which the party said was marred by massive electoral fraud in the state.

Addressing newsmen in Port Harcourt, the state capital, APGA identified certain individuals it accused of perpetrating irregularities and violated electoral laws during the National Assembly elections, calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, to commence the immediate arrest and persecution of such persons.

The party also called on the INEC boss to effect the immediate removal of the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Rivers State, Mr. Aniedu IKoiwak, for allegedly aiding and abetting electoral malpractices in the state.

Tamunosisi Gogo Jaja, running mate to Sir Celestine Omehia, APGA's gubernatorial candidate, who addressed newsmen, expressed shock that despite the high volume of rigging and all the electoral irregularities that took place during the election in Rivers State, the INEC Chairman Professor Attahiru Jega, had not mentioned Rivers State as one of the states that would be investigated.

According to him the electoral irregularities that took place in Anambra Central Senatorial Zone, Bayelsa and Delta States, which Jega said would be investigated, were mere child's play compared to the volume of rigging, which occurred in Rivers State.

The April 9 election, Jaja insisted, showed that Rivers PDP had the highest rigging propensity in the country.

In a document signed by the APGA, Rivers State Chairman, Mr. Jerry Godfry, and the secretary Mr. Precious Barido, the party complained of police brutality and criminal intimidation by government officials.

Most of the evidence stated by APGA incriminated state government officials, who, they claimed, were seen sharing money at polling stations and moving freely with armed escorts physically intimidating voters.