The Rivers state council of traditional rulers have urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare the result of the guber poll in the state.
The royal fathers made their stance known, at a press briefing in Port Harcourt, addressed by their chairman, the Amayanabo of Opobo, King Douglas Dandeson Jaja.
He said “We urge INEC to declare all verifiable results and immediately look into only compromised results on units and wards bases, where boxes were snatched by thugs or military personnel. “We cannot go through another round of elections at a later date.
INEC must ensure collated results are declared and not tampered with by third parties.”
The monarchs also expressed disappointment at the alleged involvement of the military and Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) personnel in the direct process of the elections.
They revealed that what they have today, is a few government appointees using federal apparatus, including men in uniform, to cause chaos and breakdown of law and order,and that their people, who have attempted to resist such illegality have either been arrested or dealt with extra judicially. He regretted that Rivers communities have been militarised, with innocent people harassed, arrested and detained
They noted that in many kingdoms and communities, the uniformed or military men were actively involved in giving cover to politicians and their thugs, who are carting ballot boxes and result sheets.
The group described as deafening, the silence of the National Peace Committee querying why the committee has failed to call all parties and the military to order, for breaching the peace in the state.
Meanwhile, Engr. Awara Biokpomabo, the governorship candidate for the African Action Congress (AAC), has asked INEC to declare him the winner of the governorship election in Rivers state. Biokpomabo made the demand on same day at a press briefing in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital.
The AAC candidate claimed that before the suspension, in some other local government areas, results had already been collated and declared, adding that he was in clear lead and was coasting to victory.
