CTCs of Rivers State Election results : INEC remains mum as countdown to a 24-hour ultimatum begins

Few hours to the expiration of a 24-hour Ultimatum issued by the Coalition of Governorship Candidates and Party Chairmen (CGCPC) in Rivers State, to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on the release of  Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the declared results of the March 9 governorship and House of Assembly elections, there seems to be no compliance in sight.

On Monday, the CGCPC, had through its Chairman, Pastor Warigbani Zebulun, and Secretary, Chibuzor Anele, issued this ultimatum in Port Harcourt, while addressing the media on their misgivings on the activities of INEC as regards the 2019 general elections in the state.

Excerpts of the statement made available to Africa Update on Monday, reads: “The general public is by this statement informed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Rivers State has refused to release Certified True Copy of the declared results to the various political parties that participated in the governorship and State Assembly elections in Rivers State.

“We have remained law abiding despite the unlawful collation and announcement of results without the presence of State Agents of opposition parties which INEC and the Nigerian Police denied access into the collation center.

“Several other complaints including Court actions were ignored by INEC during the collation process. These actions exercised by INEC is capable of plunging the State into crisis which we sacrificially avoided even when fake results were declared by INEC’s Fact Finding Committee.

“We, the Coalition of Governorship Candidates and Party Chairmen , Rivers State are by this statement, therefore, urging INEC to immediately release the said Certified True Copy of results declared within 24 hours to enable interested political parties have a view of it for consideration and determination. The leadership of INEC at the National and State should please do the needful to avoid unpleasant speeches and actions capable of plunging the State into crisis.

“We are compelled to further accuse INEC of a continual unholy intercourse with Gov Nyesom Wike and the PDP in the State, while depriving some governorship candidates and the various political parties of equal opportunities, rights and privileges.

“INEC in this circumstance is dancing the drum beats of the PDP and we shall rise up against her at the expiration of the 24 hours ultimatum.”