A pressure group in Niger Delta, Good Governance Forum (GGF) has raised an alarm over alleged plot by the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) rig next Saturday bye-election in Delta Central Senatorial district.
The October bye-election is being put together by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to replace late Senator Pius Ewherido occupied the position on the platform of Democratic People’s Party (DPP).
The group, in a statement signed by Chief Ikenna Akunana, Chairman and Chief Comrade Gregory Edoja said information at its disposal indicated that the PDP is planning to use the security agencies to block access of the agents of other candidates to collations centres across eight local government areas of the district.
It also claimed that the ruling PDP has hired thugs to snatch ballot boxes and other electoral materials in areas the party is not too strong to win electoral votes as well as contacting some INEC officials to carry out some dirty jobs for it.
GGF said the plot was hatched at a caucus meeting of PDP recently in Oghara and Asaba as part of efforts by the state government to ensure victory for its candidate in line with the alleged directive of President Goodluck Jonathan.
The group therefore warned of the consequences of such plot in the PDP’s attempt to impose an unpopular candidate on the Urhobo people.
It urged the security agencies and INEC officials not to allow themselves to be used in truncating the electoral process which is expected to throw up the best Urhobo candidate to occupy the Senatorial seat in Abuja.
