Rivers PDP members protest at INEC, seek joint inspection of election materials

Over 1000 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State and their supporters on Monday stormed the headquarters of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state to demand the commission to allow a joint inspection of election materials by political parties ahead of the election petitions tribunal sitting.

Heavily-armed policemen including police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) blocked the entrance of the INEC office to prevent any damage to the facility.

The protesters who crippled vehicular activities from the Waterlines area through to the GRA area of Aba Road in the metropolis demanded a joint inspection of electoral materials by political parties.

Speaking, the chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state, Dr. Samhel Nwanosike, said the inspection must be done by all parties involved.

According to him: “We are putting other political parties on notice. Rivers people have decided to keep watch n this INEC headquarters.

“We are aware that results have been uploaded in IREV over 95 percent. We are aware that the Certified True Copies of all the pilling unit result sheets is in INEC.

“Like they did in 2019 when policemen were writing different result sheets to smuggle into INEC offices.

“Never again will it happen. We will not leave this place. We will be here every day until the right thing is done.”

On his part, the leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Edison Ehie, said their mandates were freely given to them by Rivers people and vowed to protect it.

He stated: “We are here to peacefully protest at the INEC office in Port Harcourt. We hear that the opposition has refused to accept defeat as usual.

“Election was conducted peacefully. And PDP Rivers State won overwhelmingly, 23/23. It is clear the evidence is there, but on credible intelligence, they have gathered again in connivance with some security agents and a few INEC officials, to concoct the rest sheets, with the ambition of rubbing off on the victory and mandate given to us by Rivers people.

“Therefore, we have come to the INEC office in our numbers to say we want the Certified True Copies of all results sheets, as required by law, to be given to us.

“Secondly, we are demanding that any inspection of electoral material and result sheets must be done jointly by us, APC, Labour Party, and any opposition party. We will not accept any inspection where they will go into the INEC office to inspect without us; they have the right to inspect, and we also have the right to inspect, so it must be done jointly.”