PDP accuses INEC of systemic manipulation of voters’ register

By Patrick Okohue

…as CUPP alleges plan by FG to jam frequencies of some media houses, arrest reporters

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that it has uncovered an alleged plot by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to corrupt the voters’ register, even as the Coalition of United Political Parties has also alleged that agents of the Federal Government have concluded plans to clamp down on media houses and their reporters on election day. The PDP also alleged that the hidden purpose for the unlawful activity was to enhance the electoral fortune of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), against the true expression of the will of the electorate through the ballot boxes. The PDP National chairman, Prince Uche Secondus made the allegation while briefing newsmen in Abuja. In his words, “It is clear that INEC did not, in fact, do a clean up of the register of voters before it published it. It is very easy to calculate that they could not have done so. “If, as they claim, there are 84 million voters, each with 10 fingerprints – then clearly there are 840 million fingerprints. If they were to match all fingerprints against each other, then they would have to perform an enormous number of calculations – more than seven times 10 to the power of 11 matches. “INEC cannot currently perform one million such matches per second, even if they were able to do one million matches per second, it would take them more than 810,000 days. Meanwhile, a statement signed by Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, CUPP 1st National Spokesperson, alleged that the plan was to jam and destroy broadcasting equipment of some TV and Radio stations. According to CUPP, top on list of media houses targeted are ARISE TV, Africa Independent Television, Silverbird Television, Raypower FM and 15 other radio stations. CUPP claimed that this was aimed at ensuring that the targeted media houses had no opportunity of informing Nigerians about the various irregularities being planned for the presidential and National Assembly elections in favour of candidates of the ruling All Progressives Congress across the country. “The plan is to jam and destroy transmitting equipment of these media organisations on election day. “The strategy also include indiscriminate arrest and detention of reporters and cameramen of these stations while their working tools will be confiscated and destroyed,” CUPP alleged It called on all stakeholders, including Nigeria’s international friends, to note the alleged plot to subvert the will of the people on Saturday. “We are watching them and we shall continue to expose their evil plans for the world to see and know,” it said.