COUNTDOWN TO APGA alleges rigging plot by opposition
The ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State, yesterday, alleged the importation of two lorry loads of sensitive electoral materials by an opposition party to rig the November 18 governorship election.
The National Chairman of the party, Chief Victor Oye, who stated this at a press conference in Awka, accused an opposition party in the state of being responsible for the importation of the materials.
He was, however, short of giving the name of any political party behind the importation.
Also, the Anambra State Police Command has denied knowledge of the interception of any electoral materials in Awka, describing the development as “as untrue.”
The state CP, Umar Garba, in a telephone chat, said he was not aware of anything like that.
Oye listed the contents of the trucks, which were allegedly uncovered at a hotel in the state capital in the early hours of yesterday, to include electoral materials for the entire local government areas of the state.
“It beats our imagination that this barbaric, primitive activity could happen in this 21st Century and in less than 10 days to our election. We believe strongly that it was masterminded by an opposing political party.
“The essence of this conference is to draw the attention of the general public, Nigerians and the world to the sad development in our nation’s socio-political life,” he said.
He insisted that APGA, as a responsible party, would not tolerate any form of sharp practices in the election and “would stoutly resist any attempt by anyone to rig the election, maintaining that the election must be free and fair.”
Oye added, “While our governor has been busy traversing the length and breadth of the state canvassing for votes, some other parties were busy cooking up plans to rig the election.”
He said his party had always believed in the capability of INEC and that of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to conduct a free, fair and credible election in the state, but were disappointed by the ugly development.
“This latest development has, however, cast doubt on the capacity and capability of INEC to conduct a credible poll. We’ve lost faith in INEC in this election,” he said.