As the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) prepares to start the training of ad-hoc staff recruited to conduct the general elections across the country, there’s apprehension in Abia State, fol­lowing the substitution of people earlier penciled down for the job with other names.

Following INEC advertisement asking Nigerians to apply as ad-hoc staff, some people in Abia State sent in their applications and were listed for recruitment and training.

It was gathered that on the day slated for the intending ad-hoc staff to report, Abia State officials, acting on the instruction of Governor Theodore Orji, brought a fresh list as the authentic ad-hoc staff.

Sources revealed that the list from Abia Government House was submitted to the Electoral Officers (EOs), who accepted it and told the earlier listed candidates that they would no longer be hired.

Following the development, candidates of other political parties are alleging that with Governor Orji nominating INEC ad-hoc staff, this has set the stage for the rigging of the elections.

They also alleged that the state government has influenced the appointment of election supervisors in all the 17 Local Government Areas.

According to them, the appointed election supervisors are card-carrying members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The delegates’ election of the PDP in Abia was dogged by controversies, as the state government listed people without holding any congress.

This had paved way for the delegates to return only candidates the state governor wanted.

The governorship primary election in the state is still a subject of litigation, with some aspirants going to court to challenge the emergence of Okezie Ikpeazu as the candidate.

•Sourced from Daily Sun. Photo shows Governor TA Orji.