Don’t Set Abia On Fire, Group Tells INEC Chairman
A civil society organisation, Abia state Human Rights & Pro democracy Group has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately rise up to the occasion and save Abia state from avoidable crisis by resolving the logjam encountered in the governorship election held on Saturday.
In a press briefing held in Umuahia, Abia state on Monday the group noted with dismay that INEC State Returning Officer, Resident Electoral Commissioner and other actors in the commission “are being pressured with the outcome of the results from Obingwa LGA of Abia state.
The Right Group said incontrovertible evidence from the outcome of the polls has shown that the majority of the people of Abia State spoke in loud voices with their votes on whom they want to represent them in government starting from the Presidential/ National Assembly polls till last Saturday when they reechoed their stance once more by ensuring they vote credible persons in House of Assembly and in various local government results for the governorship elections.
The Rights Group called on INEC to resist any form of pressure or inducement in accepting the evidently flawed results procured from a particular Local Government Area and therefore save the commission and its agents from public odium and disgrace with its attendant consequences which may literally set Abia State on fire.
“Tension is building up already across different parts of the state by the restive youths who are not taking chances these days in allowing their mandate to be stolen by any political actor or parties. The desperation to take power by hook or crook being exhibited by some forces leaves much to be desired while those who read the signs of the present times don’t need any prophet or seer to tell them that things have changed.
“It is our unshaken position that input legitimacy should not be toyed with at any time in the democratic process as the process through which a public official emerges into public office is very much vital as to also what the public person does in office after getting power.
“Subverting the peoples’ will in a brazen manner and resort to the provocative slogan “If not satisfied, go to court” will not be accepted anymore in Abia State. The people deserve the kind of a leader they gave their consent to, through the democratic process of voting and no more shall they be deprived of this their guaranteed democratic rights.
“To do the contrary poses serious danger to the society and we implore INEC and other desperate politicians to avoid setting Abia state on fire by their actions or inactions. Let the outcome of the final result be a reflection of the wish of the electorates who braved all odds to come out and exercise their franchise” the right group stated.