2 lorries full of INEC materials seized at hotel in Anambra - APGA raises alarm

- As the Anambra elections draw closer, the political intrigues associated with polls have begun to manifest

- According to an allegation by All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), two lorries full of INEC materials have being seized

- The commissioner of police in the state has however denied the allegations

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra state has alleged that two lorries full of sensitive election materials belonging to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were found in a hotel in the state, 12 days to the Anambra gubernatorial election.

National chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Oye, who raised the alarm at a press briefing at Amawbia in Awka South local government area said security agencies in the state intercepted the materials and that two persons had been arrested in connection with the incident.

According to Vanguard, the state commissioner of police, Garba Umar, in a telephone interview, described the allegation as false.

The APGA chairman however insisted that there was a strong suspicion that an opposition political party was the mastermind of the act.

He went on to say that APGA and the people of the state would not tolerate sharp practices in the election and urged the people to be very vigilant because some of the people involved in the November 18 election were very desperate.

He said: “This afternoon, in a hotel in Okpuno area of Awka, security agents intercepted two lorry loads of sensitive materials meant for the Anambra governorship election, and it is believed that opposition parties in the state were responsible for the act.

“We decided to draw the attention of Nigerians and the world to this sad development because the Anambra governorship election must be free and fair. We will not accept any act of rigging.

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“We had believed in the capability of INEC and the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to conduct a free, fair and credible election in the state, but are already disappointed by the sad development.

“We are saddened by this development and we call on the federal government to sit up and do the right thing, as our governor has been known for hard work, and the people have attested to his performance, and we will not accept sharp practices in this election.

“Any result of the forthcoming election that is not authentic will cause chaos and APGA will not condone any act of rigging."

He called for a probe into the matter and said that the development had already cast a slur on the preparations for the election.

Meanwhile the police commissioner in the state debunked the allegation, saying there was nothing like that. “This is a false alarm,” he said.

The INEC resident electoral commissioner in the state, Dr Nkwachukwu Orji also described the allegation as laughable.

According to Orji, INEC sensitive materials could hardly come this early to the election, adding that such material would be kept in a bank when it arrives the state.

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In an earlier report by NAIJ.com, APGA called on President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that Anambra election is free and fair.

APGA said President Buhari must stop Kaduna state governor, Nasir El-Rufai; his Imo counterpart, Rochas Okorocha and ex-Abia governor, Orji Kalu, from attempting to rig the election.

According to a report, the party alleged that the APC chieftains have printed sensitive materials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the poll.

Andy Uba picks APC ticket - on NAIJ.com TV.

Source: Naija.ng