Ahead of collation of results and declaration of winner of Saturday governorship election in Bayelsa State, the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised the alarm over alleged plot to move collation of results of Brass Local Government Area to Yenagoa, the state capital.
A statement issued on Sunday and signed by APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, claimed that Brass LGA is APC stronghold and declared that the plot to move venue of the collation to Yenagoa was to manipulate the results of the local government.
It cautioned the Indepedent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) not to succumb to the pressures.
The statement reads in part: “Our attention has been drawn to brazen efforts by Governor Duoye Diri and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to unlawfully and unduly pressure the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to move collation of results of Brass Local Government Area to Yenagoa, the State capital.
“Brass, remarkably, is a major stronghold of our great party where the people have voted massively for our candidate, Timipre Sylva. The move is a calculated attempt to manipulate the result of the votes in favour of the PDP.
“INEC must stand its ground and collate the votes of Brass LGA in Brass as mandated by law before moving to Yenagoa for the final state collation.
“We also vehemently condemn Governor Diri’s fervent incitement of violent protests at the Peace Park in Yenagoa. This is utterly irresponsible and a violation of his oath of office as Governor. The people of Bayelsa deserve to vote and have results of the election declared in peace and safety. Governor Diri must stand down on his attempt to set Bayelsa state ablaze and uphold the important duty of his office as the Chief Security Officer of Bayelsa State. “
The INEC has however expressed concern in Brass LGA, where it declared that its officials are being held hostage.
In a statement entitled,” The Unfolding Situation in Brass Local Government Area. it is closely watching the situation in Brass LGA of Bayelsa State where our officials are held hostage.
“This is detrimental to credible elections. We call on the security agencies to immediately facilitate their release.”
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