The governor of. Kogi State and governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Capt. Idris Wada yesterday, alleged the major opposition party in the state, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is concluding plans to manipulate the election with a view to rigging it.
Wada who spoke through his Chief Communication Manager, Mr. Phrank Shaibu told newsmen in the office of the deputy governor also alleged that that some electoral personnel had been compromised to ensure victory for the APC on Saturday (today).
Shaibu stated the PDP had uncovered a plot by the APC and its candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu to use military officers and thugs to “harass and intimidate” voters.
He claimed that a senior military officer, precisely a Lt. Colonel who is an experienced election contractor, had been deployed to Dekina local government area where Wada hails from to “work in cahoot with the APC to intimidate and harass voters.”
Alleging that INEC has been compromised, Shaibu stated some personnel of commission had been bought over by the APC.
As stated by him, the Electoral Officer for Kogi local government area, Chris Utile on Thursday afternoon dropped 40 trained ad hoc staff for new ones brought in two buses from Benue State.
“We have uncovered acts of inducement and bribery by our challengers to compensate electoral officers. The (new) persons in question did not go through any training whatsoever. The changes were made Thursday afternoon”, Shaibu stated.
He wondered why “all these things are happening under President Muhamadu Buhari who became President in an election conducted under PDP government”, vowing that “we shall not lie docile and allow desperate elements to truncate the wish of the people.”