INEC REC-Igini Plotting To Rig Election For PDP In Edo State – APC Alleges
The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Akwa Ibom State, Mr Mike Igini, of alleged plots to rig the September 19 governorship poll election in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The APC specifically said that it is important for the INEC to know that Igini has by his actions, constitute himself as an obstacle to a free and fair election in state.
Chairman of the APC in the state, Col. David Imuse (rtd.), who stated these, pointedly accused Igini, who once served as INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Edo State of holding nocturnal meeting with Governor Godwin Obaseki of the PDP at a private residence in Benin during which the duo put finishing touches to the rigging plot.
Imuse told journalists in Benin that his party received reliable information on the secret meeting between Igini and Obaseki.
According to him; “Around 3:00am, Igini was seen driving into the private residence of Obaseki in Benin in company of two other known allies of the outgoing Edo governor, one of whom was identified as Anselm Ojezua (former factional Chairman of APC in Edo State, who is an ally of Obaseki).
“At the meeting, Igini, Obaseki and other top PDP allies designed and examined ways and strategies to rig the outcome of the September 19, governorship election in Edo State with particular focus on the production of fake ballots and the inducement of recruited INEC’s ad-hoc staff to aid the success of the rigging plans.
“Already, before the meeting, we received information, backed with proof, on Igini’s illegal conscription of Youth Corps members, who would be playing vital roles in the conduct of the election as ad-hoc staff.
“Some of the Corps members volunteered information on how they were contacted by Igini and offered mouthwatering deals to help the PDP at the poll in exchange for cash benefits,” he said.
Imuse continued; “Igini was quoted by them to have personally assured them of their safety and protection against prosecution if they accept the offer to rig the election in favour of the PDP and Obaseki.
“We also obtained photographs of Igini at Protea Hotel, Benin, where visiting National Commissioners of INEC were lodged, apparently running the errands of Obaseki and the PDP.
“He (Igini) was overheard at the hotel discussing the Edo governorship election and the recruitment of ad-hoc staff.
“We dare Igini to deny his presence at the hotel and we shall immediately supply pictorial evidence to members of the public”.
