APC Urges Jega to Ensure Credible Poll in Delta Central

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Wednesday urged the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, to take all necessary steps to ensure that Saturday’s by-election in Delta Central Senatorial District is free and fair.

The party in a statement by its National Vice Chairman (South-south), Chief Tom Ikimi, said it was making the call in view of the desperation by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to win the by-election by all means.

The statement said: “The by-election to fill the vacant seat in the Senate arising from the recent death of Senator Pius Ewherido of Delta Central Senatorial District comes up on Saturday 12th October 2013. The late Senator was an active founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Our party the APC therefore takes this by-election very seriously and by the outcome of our party's primaries, Olorogun O'tega Emerhor was elected our candidate for the election.

“The All Progressives Congress is irrevocably committed to free, fair and credible elections conducted on the basis of one-man-one-vote. The up coming election in Delta Central Senatorial District and eventually the Anambra Governorship election will be clear test case elections for the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) to demonstrate to Nigeria and indeed the whole world that the much talked-about general election in 2015 will indeed be better than the past elections they have so far conducted since 1999 and not yet again another ruse election!

“The signals emerging from Delta State at the moment are very frightening indeed and are all pointing towards a theatre of war rather than an atmosphere of a free and fair contest. We now have credible information of plans hatched by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who are currently in power both at the Federal and Delta State levels of government, to cause violence in most parts of the Delta Central Senatorial district in order to rig the by-election. The PDP lost this seat in the 2011 general election and it seems they now have instructions from the highest levels of their party from where a candidate was nominated to pursue a "do-or-die" contest.

“Specifically, we have now become aware of evil plots by key operatives of the PDP agreed in meetings they held in Uvwie, Ughelli South, Ughelli North and Ethiope East-Sapele Local Government Areas that PDP thugs are to be used to disrupt the electoral process. It is now known that fake military uniforms have been acquired, to be worn by PDP thugs and hoodlums who are to patrol selected areas on Election Day to intimidate lawful voters, chase them away and in designated locations unleash mayhem. The details of the locations where these meetings have been held and the identity of individuals involved are available with our party leaders in Delta Central Senatorial District.

“We believe that aside from the above, INEC is not unaware of the fragile security situation prevailing in many parts of that Senatorial District such as in Kokori, Ethiope East where the notorious kidnap kingpin Kelvin hails from. In the circumstance INEC needs to give unwavering assurance to all persons in the Delta Central Senatorial District of adequate security. The deployment of military personnel to the area to provide proper security for the election is an absolute necessity!

“We therefore strongly appeal to Professor Attahiru Jega, National Chairman of INEC to take personal interest in the Delta Central Senatorial District election and to ensure it is free, fair and credible.  We note his recent concerns about the security situation in certain parts of the country ahead of the 2015 general elections. Those concerns should be seen as addressed in this election. Professor Jega who has taken long trips to observe elections in some African nations which in size and population are not bigger than one of the smallest of the thirty six states in Nigeria should not find it that difficult to take a short trip to Delta State to ensure that all goes well there as a befitting pointer to 2015.

“We are aware that the Resident Electoral Commissioner now in Asaba, Delta State, is new at the location and although we make no issues at the moment of the fact that she hails from Bayelsa State, we believe that she needs help and support from more experienced persons to successfully handle an election in an area so volatile.

“The Delta Central Senatorial district election will hold on Saturday 12th October 2013 in the eight local government areas of the district. INEC must ensure that all Delta State Government officials or others intending to roam around the district with police escort whether real or fake should steer clear of the area allowing only duly accredited electoral personnel to perform their legitimate assignments free from interference, and registered voters to exercise their franchise freely.

“We have raised these genuine concerns in good time and in good faith just as we trust that Professor Jega, National Chairman INEC will address them urgently and satisfactorily.”