Bayelsa polls: Coalition alerts INEC on rigging

The Niger Delta Patriotic Coalition has alerted the newly appointed chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmud Yakubu of plans by certain groups to rig the forth coming governorship election in Bayelsa State.

This call, the group said, has become necessary following reports that the groups are working to reclaim the Niger Delta region.

Addressing a press conference yesterday in Abuja, Pastor Godknows Okauru said there are signs in the air to confirm their fears, and the need to urge Professor Yakubu to be wary of such plans.

He therefore urged President Muhammadu Buhari to provide a level playing field for all citizens to exercise their constitutional franchise according to existing rules and regulations guiding the conduct of transparent, credible, free and fair election anywhere in the world.

In his words, “President Buhari, who is the greatest beneficiary of his predecessor’s democratic credentials, has so many great lessons to learn and to prove to Nigerians that he is now a born again democrat. This is expected to play out in both his official and private conduct during the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Kogi and Bayelsa, where his party’s candidates are banking on the use of the electoral body and security agencies to rig the elections in their favour,” he said.