We Won’t Tolerate Any Plot To Rig Abia Guber Election – IPAC Warns, Tasks Security Agencies
The Inter- Party Advisory Council (IPAC), in Abia State, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies in the state to ensure that the March 18 governorship and State House of Assembly election is void of rigging and violence.
IPAC while addressing the media on Thursday, said intelligence available to them have it that thugs have been imported into the state to scare away electorates from their polling units, disrupt a peaceful electioneering process and rig the election.
Speaking on behalf of IPAC, the chairman, Mr Ceekay Igara called on all political parties to ensure that they do not engage in any form of violence but rather push for a peaceful transition.
They warned all intending to disrupt the Saturday’s election to desist from such plot or face the full wrath of the law as IPAC has synergized with security agencies to ensure that all violators are apprehended and dealt with accordingly.
“IPAC’s major concern is a peaceful transition.
“We have heard people planning intimidation, violence, and importation of thugs.
“IPAC Abia State will not tolerate any form of intimidation. We are determined to ensure that Abians are given equal opportunity to elect their leaders. We are saying no to violence, election rigging and intimidation. We want peace in this election” Igara said.
Speaking also, the state chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Rev. Augustine Ehiemere, cautioned Abians and all political parties to support a peaceful electioneering process.
He charged security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the alleged plot to cause violence on Saturday, while calling on INEC’S staff to do their jobs diligently without compromise.
“We will resist any attempt to hijack ballot papers or compromise INEC staff” Ehiemere vowed.
Parties represented at the press conference include; NRM, Accord, APGA, NNPP, Action Alliance, APA, ADP, and LP.
Earlier before the press conference, IPAC ans Abia youths had carried a peaceful protest to INEC’s Headquarter office in Umuahia, calling for a peaceful and credible election.