By Onome Oghenetega
The Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the officials of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) including the party’s vice presidential candidate and governor of the state, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, of allegedly working with unnamed officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to rig the forthcoming general elections in the state.
APC alleged that the plan, which is being hatched on behalf of the party by an unnamed PDP senatorial candidate in the state, is aimed to subvert the operations of the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BIVAS) machines for the polls.
Addressing journalists in Warri, Delta State, on Thursday, APC Delta Publicity Secretary, Mr. Valentine Onojeghuo Esq. alleged that the plot was to insert or input predetermined figures into the BIVAS machines to deployed to polling units across the state.
Onojeghuo told journalists that the purported plan by the PDP had been reported to the INEC Chairman and security agencies in the country to thwart them from undermining the outcome of the polls in the state.
He said despite the plan, the EDGE Agenda of the party’s governorship candidate and Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and other candidates of the party was resonating with Deltans who are patiently waiting “to sweep away Okowa-led PDP bad governance in the state”.
The APC spokesman also further alleged that a commissioner in the Okowa’s cabinet, Mrs. Jennifer Adasen, reportedly hijacked PVCs belonging to Ewu Ward 1 in Ughelli South LGA of the state.
“We write to humbly inform you of the grand connivance between INEC officials in Delta State and at the National Headquarters, of the commission and PDP top officials, including Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa, to subvert the 2023 General Elections in the state through tampering with Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BIVAS) machines, using financial inducement.
“If the plot is allowed to fruition, the consequences will be devastating. The plot that is presently on ground is to input predetermined figures into the BIVAS machines that will be deployed to the polling units, before the commencement of voting on elections day.
“It is on high gear, especially for the Presidential, Senatorial and Governorship elections. The already loaded figures will be credited to the PDP, to give the party a head start even before the elections begin”, the APC petition to INEC chairman, partly read.
Speaking on the role of the PDP senatorial candidate in the alleged deal, Onojeghuo said, “Already, a senatorial candidate of the PDP is holed up at his Life Camp, by Lento Aluminium, Abuja residence, where he holds nocturnal and clandestine meetings with INEC’s officials on how to subvert the operations of the BIVAS machines in his senatorial district and the state, in general.
“The unscrupulous INEC officials have opted to perfect the nefarious mission and requested the notorious senatorial candidate, who is strong member of Governor Okowa’s inner circles to come up with a list of individuals, who would be trained to achieve the subversive results.”
Onojeghuo also disclosed that the party has unearth plans by the PDP and Governor Okowa to use APC branded vehicles to cause mayhem ahead of the general elections in the state.
According to him, “This information has become necessary and important, hence we thought it proper to alert the general public.
“The branded vehicles, made in the semblance of colours and logos of the APC, are hidden in the premises of the Premium Trust Bank, along Maryam Babaginda Way, Asaba. The bank is believed to belong to the Okowa family.
“The intention of Okowa and the PDP is to use these vehicles for thuggery, inflict harm and injuries on innocent citizens, to bring public opprobrium and hate upon the APC, as we approach the general elections.”
According to the APC, “This satanic desperation no doubt stems from the reality that has now dawned on Okowa and the PDP, on the impending defeat that awaits them at the forthcoming polls.
“Having realized that the people of Delta State have finally rejected the PDP and by extension, his vice presidential ambition, Gov. Okowa and his hirelings, have now resorted to sinister schemes to arm-twist voters in the State, through creating a false sense of insecurity amongst the people. This he hopes will turn voters against our great Party.
“The Delta State APC by this press statement notifies the general public and all security agencies operating in the state, that as a law-abiding political party, we will not succumb to wicked and cheap blackmail, nor gangsterism. In fact, we do not subscribe or tolerate criminal actions that would create insecurity and a breakdown of law and order in the State.”
Meanwhile, effort to speak with State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, on the allegations against his party proved abortive as repeated calls to his telephone line ranged out.
