Tension as group uncovers allege plot by Sen Akpabio, INEC to rig election in A’ Ibom

A socio- political and pressure group in Akwa Ibom, the Peace and Development Initiative said it has discovered plans by former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio in conspiracy with the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Presidential Election Collation Officer, Mrs Amina Zakari to hijack all elections in the state in favour of All Progressive Congress (APC) party. It has also expressed worries that the personal relationship of a brother of Mrs Zakari with the state APC leader, Senator Akpabio could also influence the electoral process and result collation for the polls in Akwa Ibom. “Of concern for us in Akwa Ibom is the fact that a younger brother of Mrs Zakari is one of the closest personal friends of our own Senator Godswill Akpabio who is also the leader of APC in Akwa Ibom. They have been friends since their secondary school years in Federal Government College in Port Harcourt. We are not losing sight of this and its implications on the outcome of the State and Federal elections in Akwa Ibom,” the group said. In a statement made available to Correspondent in Uyo on Tuesday and endorsed by its President and Secretary, Tom Chris Morgan and Henry Bassey respectively, the group observed that by the appointment of Mrs Zakari as the Presidential Election collation Officer, the INEC boss has displayed partiality to manage and withstand pressures from vested interests in the election. The group further said that Zakari’s denial of having a relationship with the President against all proofs made her unfit to occupy such a position of trust even as her husband’s candidature of the APC in the Bauchi South Senatorial race would expose her to bias. The group further advised Mrs Zakari to resign her appointment based on the fact that she repeatedly failed the impartiality test especially on her disposition in the immediate past governorship elections in south west where she was in charge of electoral operation and logistics. “Amina’s denial of any relationship with President Buhari also puts a huge question mark on her honesty, probity, and trustworthiness. A person who can lie this casually about something as basic and as verifiable as her relationships is disreputable and unworthy of the responsibility she’s been entrusted with at INEC. The group also alleged that Mrs. Amina Zakari is not only a blood relative of the incumbent President, Muhammadu Buhari but also married to the Senatorial candidate in next month general election. “Nigerians want a new direction and the President must avoid actions that suggest he wishes to suppress the aspirations of the people in the 2019 elections. Any action of the President that aims at giving him an advantage in the February elections amounts to political corruption and abuse of power. The group also observed that since he is using his political power for personal gain as a candidate. INEC must not only be fair but must be seen to be fair to all including registered political parties and especially to Nigerians who are the stakeholders. “As a body committed to peace, justice and development we therefore we call on INEC to reverse the appointment of Zakari as chairperson in the interest of justice, equity and fairness in order to ensure peace and give all the candidates a level playing ground. “We call on Mrs Zakari to resign her appointment given the fact that she repeatedly failed the impartiality test especially on her dispositions in the immediate past governorship elections in the South-West where she was in charge of electoral operations and logistics”, the statement further stated.