A coalition of civil society groups has alleged that some unidentified politicians had procured the services of foreign and local observer groups to pre-empt the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission on the governorship elections in Rivers State.
It stated that the plot was aimed at arm-twisting the commission to compromise, warning INEC against pandering to the wishes of the unnamed politicians.
The coalition said INEC must be cautious in taking a final decision on the elections in Rivers State, insisting that the commission must run away from any plan to smear its image which it said may cast doubt in the minds of the voting public.
This was contained in an emailed statement on Saturday by the President, Society for the Advancement of Niger Delta Peace, Chima Womadi; Coordinator, Niger Delta political Advocacy Platform, Akpofure Unuame; President, Women and Guilds Peace Professionals Initiative, Esther LongJohn and Chairman, Human Rights and Community Builders Association, Edwin Kamala.
The group said, โWe wish to alert the relevant institutions and the general public about the plots by certain politicians in Rivers state using state state-owned apparatus to procure both foreign and domestic observer groups to pre-empt the INEC on its planned decision over the Governorship elections in Rivers state.
โThis plot as we gather, is aimed at manipulating and arm-twisting the Commission to compromise.โ
The statement commended INEC for its commitment so far and โparticularly the Nigerian security forces for their professionalism during the elections which saved Rivers state from explosion.โ
It also lauded the Nigerian Army for its decision to investigate the allegations levelled against its men during the elections.
