The Social Democratic Party (SDP) gubernatorial candidate in Rivers State, Senator Magnus Abe, has accused the police of colluding with officials of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to disrupt the recent governorship and house of assembly elections in the state. Speaking on a live television program in Port Harcourt, Abe alleged that the election was marred by violence and intimidation of voters, and that election materials were carted away by the police and PDP officials.
According to Abe, the results for Ahoada-West local government area were not collated in the LGA due to violence, and were later collated by persons who were not INEC staff at the commission’s office in Port Harcourt. He claimed that the election was crowded and violent, with shooting and attacks preventing many voters from participating. Abe also alleged that unknown persons collated election results at the INEC head office using result sheets that could not be verified.
Abe accused the police of following PDP officials around the state and helping them to hijack ballot boxes and carry away electoral materials. He claimed that several truckloads of police officers would follow one PDP official around, and that none of them were apprehended. Abe also alleged that only SDP members were arrested for electoral offences in the state, and that they were being held on frivolous charges.
Abe accused the governor of instructing the police to arrest SDP members for electoral offences and to cook up charges against them. He claimed that the only person arrested for vote-buying in the state was an SDP member. Abe’s allegations raise serious questions about the conduct of the recent elections in Rivers State and the role played by the police and PDP officials.
Abe’s claims point to a serious breakdown of law and order during the elections, with violence and intimidation preventing many voters from participating. The alleged collusion between the police and PDP officials raises concerns about the impartiality of law enforcement agencies and the fairness of the electoral process. Abe’s allegations underscore the need for a thorough investigation into the conduct of the recent elections in Rivers State, and for measures to be taken to ensure that future elections are free, fair, and transparent.
