The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, on Monday accused the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, of been partisan in the conduct of its statutory role.
Speaking during a Channels Television programme, Sunrise Daily, the governor alleged that INEC collaborated with the All Progressives Congress, APC, to employ ad-hoc staff that handled the re-run election in his state.
Wike said prior to the re-run election, he had written to the nation’s electorial body expressing concerns over issues that were bordering on irregularities during the election but got no reply from the body.
He said, “Before the re-run date, we have heard some information concerning the preparation of INEC on a collaboration with APC to employ ad-hoc staff that will help the APC to rig the election.
“In February, I wrote a letter to INEC chairman, alerting him of the information and that we think that it would not be proper if that happens.
“I indicated that since it was a re-run election, it would be okay to get ad-hoc staff from other states.”
“I did not get any reply, so I called the chairman to ask why.
Noting that the integrity of the INEC must be maintained and that no staff should be compromised, Wike said, “Sometimes in March, I got an information that the INEC had pencilled down lecturers and staff of the University of Port Harcourt who are also members of the APC.
“I got the list and I wrote another letter to the Chairman of INEC attaching the list of those persons that are members of the APC.”
Wike alleged that relatives of candidates contesting the election were made collation officers by INEC.
