Bayelsa Election: Group Exposes APC Plots To Forcefully Remove REC

The South-South Civil Society Coalition (SSCSC) has raised alarm over ongoing plots by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to ensure Baritor Kpagih, the Bayelsa state Resident Electoral Commissioner is forcefully removed.

According to the group, this plot is connected with Kpagih’s refusal to declare Timipre Sylva, the APC governorship candidate as the winner of the December 5 gubernatorial election in the state, Leadership reports.

This was contained in a statement by Comrade Osadebe Michael, the publicity secretary of the SSCSC.

“As Nigerians, we believe that the independence of the INEC must not be compromised for any political reason and we hereby call on the Chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmud Yakub to be mindful of this latest move by the APC because, it will be resisted by us.

“The entire global community is waiting to see how INEC will be able to redeem its image after the failure of December 5 and any other decision that may further complicate the process will only compound the fear of Nigerians that INEC under Professor Yakubu may become totally incapable of deepening our democracy through credible electoral process,” the statement read.

READ ALSO: Bayelsa: Jonathan’s Men Responsible For Bungled Election?

The group stated that the people of Bayelsa have the right to choose who leads them without any external influence or manipulation by any individual or group.

The Bayelsa governorship election was marred by large-scale violence across the state in which about five people reportedly lost their lives in Nembe, Southern Ijaw and Brass local government areas, while scores sustained various degrees of injuries.

Incumbent governor and candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Seriake Dickson accused his APC counterpart, Sylva of being responsible for the violence. Sylva on the other hand accused Dickson of engaging militants to bungle the election.

The election ended in stalement as , INEC nullified the election in the Southern Ijaw area due to violence, the abduction of electoral officials and ballot box snatching during the election.

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