Parties Say Observer’s Report On Rivers Election Shows Bias

Rivers_State

Representatives of some political parties in Rivers and observer groups, today, differed on the outcome of the Governorship and House of Assembly elections in the State.

While the United Nations Women and Pan African Observers said at a news conference in Port Harcourt that the elections in the state were free and fair, representatives of All Progressives Congress (APC), and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) think otherwise and claimed that the observers were bias.

According to Mrs Eno Udensi, President, Pan African Women observers, the elections in Rivers were peaceful and creditable. She further described the results as a reflection of the will of the people. The candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Nyesom Wike won the election.

However, Mr Ajentekebia Harry of APGA said the report of the Pan African Women observers, showed that they did not cover the state properly, adding, “they should not mislead the people with their reports.

“You cannot tell us that the Presidential and National Assembly elections, including the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections in the state were free and fair.

“It is unbelievable because there were incidents of shooting, killing and snatching of ballot boxes in different parts of the state.

“I am a candidate for House of Assembly in Asari/Toru, I know what I saw; there was no election in my constituency because of shooting.

“In fact, shooting started from Friday evening during the governorship and state House of Assembly elections,” he said.

Also speaking, Mrs Victoria Nyeche, the APC House of Assembly candidate, Port Harcourt City constituency 1, said the election was manipulated.

“There was a lot evidence to prove that the election was marred with irregularities.

“I truly appreciate you as observers, but one thing we must know is that it is not everywhere in Rivers State that you monitored election.

“There were incidents of irregularities; but in those areas, PDP candidates were declared winners,” she said.