The headquarters of the Delta State police command and that of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Asaba were yesterday taken over by aggrieved voters from Delta North senatorial district to protest the alleged abduction of their returning officer at Ika North federal constituency after last Saturday’s National Assembly election.
All activities at the INEC office were grounded as the protesters took over the road to the commission. The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) left the state last Sunday for Abuja, where he took part yesterday in a meeting with the INEC chairman, Attahiru Jega and other state RECs.
The protesters first stormed the police command headquarters as early as 8 am in solidarity with the returning officer, Godwin Avioro whom they alleged was abducted by thugs suspected to be loyal to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial candidate in the election, Ifeanyi Okowa and forced him to announce the
results from the constituency.Peter Onoriode, who spoke for the protesters, also called for the removal of the state REC, Gabriel Ada Ogbudu, ahead of Saturday’s presidential election.
Irregularities discovered
Mr Avioro, who narrated his ordeal to newsmen at the Delta State police command, said he actually cancelled the results in the federal constituency based on widespread electoral irregularities in the election.
“We notice that they have two lists, one of the list contains NYSC members and another one was separated a day before the election and the names of the Corps members were substituted for villagers and relatives of the candidate contesting the election. We investigated this and discovered the truth,” he said. “We also discovered that about 25 Corps members protested against it and it was at the strength of this that we felt it was necessary for another election to be conducted at Ika North East local government.”
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