Rivers: SDP Candidate Demands Cancellation Of Supplementary Election, Cites Violence

Friday Nke-ee, the Social Democratic Party candidate for Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency, has made a call to INEC.

He called for outright cancellation of results of the just concluded supplementary election in the area.

Nke-ee who made the call while briefing newsmen in Port Harcourt, on Tuesday, also raised the alarm over alleged threats to his life by members of the PDP in the state and and some unknown persons.

He said the election was characterized by violence and intimidation of voters, allegedly ochestrated by suspected thugs working for the ruling Peoples Democratic Party.

Nke-ee further said the sponsored thugs invaded polling units and snatched ballot boxes, describing it as unfortunate.

He expressed disappointment that despite the irregularities and violence which disrupted the election, the Independent National Electoral Commission still went ahead to declare results.

He further alleged that the INEC and operatives of the Nigeria Police colluded with the Peoples Democratic Party to manipulate the poll in the area.

“I call on the INEC to cancel that election outright. We are not aware of what happened in the first election that was conducted on the 25th of February, 2023.

“If a student is in school and you fail an exam, you are expected to know what your score was in the first paper before you can come in for a repeat.

“The supplementary election was conducted in Ward 4 Sogho which has 18 units and Ward 7, Bagha which has 24 units. Totalling 42 units.

“Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency put together has 619 units. Election was conducted in the rest of the units on the 25th of February and I was in the lead in almost all the units, except the two wards that were cancelled”.

Continuing, Nke-ee said, “If you subtract two wards from 36, you have 34. So if election is conducted in 34 wards out of 36, a clear winner will emerge.

“But it was not done because I won the election in the first instance. We demanded for our status before the supplementary election, but INEC refused.

“The collaboration between INEC and the police with the PDP is very clear. He who pays the piper dictates the tune”.

On alleged threats to his life, Nke-ee called on the State Commissioner of Police, Okon Effiong, to provide security for him and members of his family.

“My life has been threatened severally. I have received several calls, even from high ranking PDP members. I have also received several calls from unknown numbers.

“I have been advised to be careful that those who came to look for me were the strike force.

“Remember on the 18th of March, I was arrested, humiliated, beaten, tortured and my valuables taken, only to regain my freedom after.

“Now again with these volume of threats, that is why I am calling for security protection”.

But in a swift reaction, the State PDP Publicity Secretary, Sydney Gbara, said Nke-ee’s allegation was false.

Gbara said, “The supplementary election in Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency was peaceful and a winner emerged in the person of Rt Hon Dumnamene Dekor of the PDP.

“His claims are false. INEC did the first election and some areas were cancelled, rescheduled and the process now concluded. The right to do is anyone who is not satisfied should go to court not calling for cancellation.”