Rivers: Ogoni youths protest polls outcome at INEC, allege killings

The National Youth Council of Ogoni People (NYCOP) has protested the outcome of the governorship and state House of Assembly elections in Rivers State.

NYCOP, in a protest at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Port Harcourt on Monday, described the March 18 election as a rape of Nigeria’s democracy.

President of the group, Barinuazor Emmanuel, while speaking at the venue of the protest accused INEC of conniving with some political parties to subvert the will of the people.

Emmanuel alleged that 15 deaths were recorded in Ogoni land during the March 18 elections, but said the incidents were not reported.

According to him, “We are here today, as peaceful people, to say that what happened to us on March 18, 2023, was a rape of our democracy. INEC and some political parties denied us our will to vote.

“We voted in some places, but our votes did not count. Where we did not vote, they (INEC and some political parties), also manufactured votes for them.

“Our grandmothers, traders, youths, we suffered to register for Permanent Voter Cards. We also had difficulty collecting our PVCs. We paid transport from our respective homes to go to our polling units to vote. In the end, what we saw was death.”

Continuing, he alleged that “Over 15 youths died in this election, but the media did not report the casualties.”

“Today, we have come here to tell the world that we, Rivers youths, reject any result that was announced here given to some politicians. We want to say that such results were not a reflection of the people’s will. We are also here today, to tell INEC that they are a shame to our democracy.”

Responding to the protesters, the INEC Head, Voter Education and Publicity in Rivers State, Mr Mark Usulor, said, “I will implore you to have your material evidence from the polling units prepared to take the right steps where you can make this quest for correction of what happened, if there is any.

“The law has provided that it is the tribunal that has the utmost power to entertain such election petitions. So, I will send this protest letter to the management of INEC and as well tell them exactly what you have just said as your request. And please, sheathe your swords.”