Brave Dickson
Following the suspension of last Saturday’s governorship and legislative elections in Rivers State by INEC, Chairman, Eleme Local Government Area in the State, Philip Okparaji has joined in condemning the alleged invasion of INEC headquarters in the state by military operatives on Sunday.
The Eleme Council Boss said he was informed that some soldiers in uniforms stormed the state INEC headquarters forcing police personnel to leave the promises.
He said, “from what I was told, some military operatives invaded the headquarters of INEC in the state with a marching order to the police to leave the premises. We condemn it in strong terms because we are in a democracy, not a military regime.”
Okparaji, therefore, called on the military leadership to desist from militarizing the state and its electoral process.
However, a fact-finding committee has been constituted by the Independent National Electoral Commission to assess the situation and report back its findings within 48 hours.
Announcing the suspension via a statement by INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, the Commission said its decision was in accordance with section 26 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and Clause 47 (e) regulations and guidelines of the Commission.
The statement reads in parts, “safety of our staff appears to be in jeopardy all over the state and the Commission is concerned about the credibility of the process.
“Consequently, at a meeting held today (Sunday) March 10, 2019, the Commission has decided to suspend all electoral processes in the state until further notice.”
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