By Mark Lenu
A plot has been uncovered to hijack the October 5 local government election in Asari Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State by some yet to be identified masterminders.
Reliable information had it that some election riggers are planning to cart away sensitive materials meant for the smooth conduct of the local government election in Asari-Toru LGA.
Reacting to the plot, the Accord Party Candidate for Asari Toru Ward One Councillorship seat, Hon Seineri Onengiyeofori George called on the good people of ASALGA to resist any attempt by hijackers to steal the election and urged the electorate to stand firm and defend their votes.
The ACCORD Party candidate said: “Our attention has been drawn to a fresh plot by some unscrupulous elements to hijack the forthcoming local government election in Asari Toru LGA.
“We wish to use this medium to state that no rigging will be tolerated in ASALGA and we must make sure that the votes of our people are counted as we will not allow any person or group of persons to rig this election.
“We equally call on the security agencies, the civil society organizations, and the media to help forestall any move aimed at rigging this election in ASALGA.
“We also call on RSIEC to ensure that the forthcoming election is free, fair, and credible and we enjoin all ASALGAns to turn out en masse to vote for the candidates of their choice.”
Hon Seineri maintained that the ACCORD Party has all it takes to deliver good governance for the people of ASALGA and the state at large, noting that if elected as councilor of ASALGA Ward One, he will not let his people down as other politicians do.
With the recent unveiling of the voter register by RSIEC, the people of the state now have confidence that the election will be held as scheduled.
The 23 local government areas of the state will on Saturday elect their respective councils’ chairmen and councillors who will govern the LGAs for the next three years.
It is crystal clear that the duo of PDP and APC will not participate in the election as their leaderships had made separate statements, announcing their withdrawal from the race.