*Accuse police, army, APC of planned manipulation

Seventeen Political parties taking part in Saturday’s governorship election in Anambra State have issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to join hands with other security operatives to work out ways of detecting and eliminating the issue of fake soldiers and police officers during the conduct of the election.

They also said that at the end of the ultimatum and the bodies fail to do so the parties would review their participation in the election.

According to a release on Tuesday signed by the Chairmen of the parties in Awka, under the umbrella of Interparty Advisory Council (IPAC), led by its Chairman and Secretary Mr Uche Igwoli and Uzochukwu Emarinent, the body alleged that: “Intelligence reports available to IPAC also confirm that the APC, acting with the tact collaboration of INEC officials in the Operations and ICT department have perfected invidious plans to falsify results in 92 Electoral Wards to the advantage of the APC to ensure the victory for its candidate in the election.

“This evil and criminal plan would be complemented by the use of fake and specially recruited police officers, the army and DSS to ensure that the fake results are surreptitiously submitted and collated as authentic results, and these fake security operatives would be used to harass and intimidate agents and major stakeholders of other parties.”

The body also alleged that there are plans to duplicate Returning Officers that would be officially accredited with letters of appointments by INEC to cover up the manipulation.

But in his reaction, the Director of Senator Andy Uba’s Media and Publicity team, Hon Adam Ogene contended that the allegations are baseless.

“What is the proof? Those IPAC leaders, are their parties contesting the election? Unless I see specific allegations, I can’t speak for INEC, the army and police. As for Senator Uba, he is only a candidate and is bound by the rules and guidelines governing the election. No more, no less,” he said

Also speaking the Head of Media and Publicity for the police in the election, DSP Nkiru Nwude also dismissed the allegation contending that the police are poised towards ensuring a free fair and credible conduct of the election adding that such allegations should be discountenanced.

(New Telegraph)