Dear partners, this is to officially inform you that our own His Excellency Barr Nyesom Wike Governor of Rivers state and leading Presidential Aspirant will be in calabar today by 11am
We are expected to mobilise in our numbers to the calabar Airport by 10am to recieved and accord our August visitor a resounding welcome to calabar.
Give this information very wide publicity. Thank you and God bless you all.
Joe obi Bisong
DG
Caterpillar Movement
PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY CROSS RIVER STATE
9th April 2022
Press Statement:
Ayade’s Interview With Arise TV: The Paradox, Farce, and Fact
Governor Ben Ayade’s ignominious interview granted to Arise TV yesterday, has further underscore the position of the Peoples Democratic Party that the Ben Ayade’s led administration is purely a government whose foundation is built on deceit and lies. For a Governor who has perfected the art of grandiloquence and concussing unsuspecting individuals with litanies of fallacious claims, one wonders where he draws his inspiration and penchant for lying barefacedly.
Here are some of the paradox from the interview.
Governor Ben Ayade claimed to have built the Obudu German Hospital, which according to him is the most sophiscated Project built by any Governor in Nigeria. Nothing can be further from the truth as the said Obudu German Hospital is neither sophisticated nor near completion. Like other white elephant Projects of his, the Obudu German hospital is mainly a conduit pipe for the governor to retire public funds. Construction work at the site is quite epileptic and not a single medical equipment has been installed. So, where lies the sophistication?
On the claim by the Governor that he created 5000 jobs for teachers, the Peoples Democratic Party challenge the Governor to publish the names of the beneficiary and their payroll since 2019. For the sake of emphasis and clarity, the Governor only carried out a kangaroo recruitment of less than 2,300 teachers, unfortunately a greater percent of those recruited are yet to collect their appointment letters not to talk of being on payroll.
The Governor claimed also to have built the Teachers Continuous Training College in Biase and that the said college is fully functional. This is another mendacious claim as the Teachers Continuous Training College was neither completely funded by the State Government nor is the institution fully functional.
Of all the lies dished out by the Governor, the most nauseating is his claim of building the biggest pharmaceutical factory in Nigeria called Calapharm. The reality is, we have nothing close to a pharmaceutical company in Cross River State. What we have is a makeshift facility at the Ayade’s industrial park that is neither completed nor operational. We challenge the Governor to mention just one product from the pharmaceutical company that is in the market.
On the claim that he parades 18,000 Political appointees, the governor has succeeded in making a mockery of governance. What is a single Governor doing with 18,000 Political Appointees in a state that he has repeatedly complained that the economy is comatose? Isn’t it paradoxical that the governor parades such large number of Political appointees under the state payroll some of which are without defined portfolios and job designations yet complains of the economic situation of the state?. It is noteworthy to also stress that the army of food eaters paraded as appointees by Governor Ben Ayade are majorly cultists employed to carry out hatchet jobs during election.
We call on Cross Riverians to rise and demand total accountability from Governor Ben Ayade. Our dear state cannot continue to be under the stranglehold of his deceits, digital lies and unconscionable approach to governance. We must rise to the occasion and salvage what is left of us as a state. As we approach 2023 Election, we urge Cross Riverians to come out and register in order to vote out this ill-fated government.
Signed:
Prince Mike Ojisi
(State Publicity Secretary)
The Peoples Democratic Party PDP Governor’s forum held its meeting on Wednesday, 23rd March, 2022, at Aba, Abia State.
The meeting reviewed the excruciating hardship and suffering being meted out to Nigerians by a failed APC led Federal Government; the near collapse of the APC as a viable political party, the readiness of the PDP to take over and offer qualitative leadership options to rescue the nation and issued the following Communique:
1. We lament the terrible pain and hardship facing Nigerians in virtually all aspects of life. The meeting noted that life was much better in 2015 under the PDP than today under the APC as exemplified in the following Comparative Indicators obtained mainly from the National Bureau of Statistics:
a. Diesel which is critical for running of SMEs was N131.47 in 2015, it now costs above N700
b. Fuel: Official and Black-Market was N87/155 in 2015, it now costs N167/350.
c. Aviation Fuel/Air Ticket Rate on Domestic Flights was N110 per Litre/N18,000 in 2015, it now hovers around N700 per Litre/N70,000, where available. Indeed, the scarcity of fuel which has resulted in loss of several man hours is a disgrace to Nigeria.
d. The collapse of the National Grid (126 times in 7 years – (June 2015 to March 2022) and its consequences for non-availability of power is most unfortunate.
e. Kerosene (NHK) used by the ordinary Nigerian for cooking and power was N180 in 2015, it now sells at ₦450.
f. Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) – 12.5kg Cylinder sold for N2,400 in 2015, is now sold at between N8,750 and N10, 000.
g. Prices of basic food stuffs are now three times higher than what they used to be in 2015. Staple foods such as rice, beans, cassava flakes are now slipping out of the hands of average Nigerians. Indeed, a Bag of Rice sold for N8500 in 2015 is now N39,000.
h. Electricity was N14.23 per kilowatt in 2015, it is now N38.530, and not even available.
i. Unemployment rate was 11.4% in 2015, it is now over 33%, one the highest in the world.
j. The poverty rate in 2015 was 11.3% but now about 42.8%.
k. Accumulated Inflation in 2015 was about 4%, it is now 15.50%; Inflation Rate was 9.01% in 2015 and now 15.7%.
l. Perhaps the Exchange Rate has been one of the most disastrous. N150 to a dollar was the parallel market (patronised by most businessmen and Nigerians) rate in 2015, it is now about N580 to $1 in the parrel market and still rising.
m. Debt and Debt Servicing:
Domestic Debt of N8.4T and External Debt of USD 7.3b was incurred between 1999-2015.
While Domestic Debt of N7.63T (June 2015-Dec 2020) and USD28.57b as at Dec 2020 was incurred. External debt of USD21.27b was incurred between June 2015 and 2021.
n. National Debt to GDP Ratio was 23.41% (2016) it is now 36.88% (2022).
o. The Corruption Index has risen from 136 in 2015 to 150 now.
p. Nigeria’s Misery Index, an indicator used in determining how economically well off the citizens of a country are, is usually calculated by adding the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate to the annual inflation rate, has moved from 14.75 percent in 2015 to 50.48 (2021).
q. The major threat to the agricultural sector and food security in Nigeria is insecurity. In the northeast of Nigeria, it is estimated that no fewer than 70,000 hectares of arable farmland have been abandoned in the affected States and Local Government areas. The trend is the same all over the country. This further contributes to food inflation. The APC led Federal Government must take steps to cooperate with States to bring security down to the grassroots.
2. The Forum is surprised that in the face of these statistics of complete failure in all ramifications and areas, the APC still wants to be on the ballot in 2023.
This shows how uncaring and insensitive the APC is.
3. The Forum urges Nigerians to reject the APC, a party run undemocratically by a Committee contrary to the Constitution (S.228) with Mr. President regularly issuing instructions and dictates. It is impossible for a party so disorganized to offer good governance to the people of Nigeria.
4. The meeting expressed concern and alarm over various reports and claims of incidents of stealing of crude oil ranging from 80% to 95% of production made by industry practitioners and called on the Federal Government to set up an appropriate mechanism to reverse this trend and bring perpetrators to account.
5. The PDP Governors once again decried the inability of the NNPC to make its statutory contributions to the Federation Account, inspite of Oil selling at above $110. It is patently unconstitutional for NNPC to determine at its whim and discretion when and what to pay to the Federation Account, as it is a mere trustee of the funds for the three tiers of Government: Federal, States and Local Governments. We once again, call for investigations and audit of the quantity of consumption of fuel ascribed to Nigerians and for deployment of technology at the filling stations to determine in a transparent manner the volume of consumption.
The Governors would resist any further attempt by NNPC to ascribe unsubstantiated subsidy claims to other tiers of government.
6. Furthermore, S.162 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended stipulates that “The Federation shall maintain a special account to be called “the Federation Account” into which shall be
paid all revenues collected by the Government of the Federation…”
and S.162 (10) states that “For the purpose of subsection (1) of this section, “revenue” means any income or return accruing to or derived by the Government of the Federation from any source and includes –
(a) any receipt, however described, arising from the operation of any law;
(b) any return, however described, arising from or in respect of any property held by the Government of the Federation;
(c) any return by way of interest on loans and dividends in respect of shares or interest held by the Government of the Federation in any company or statutory body”
a. As of today, 18 (Eighteen) Federation Revenue Agencies are not paying/remitting any revenue to the FAAC Account. These include (i) Central Bank of Nigeria (ii) Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) (iii) Nigeria Liquefied National Gas (NLNG) (iv) Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) (v) Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) (vi) NPA (vii) Security and Exchange Commission etc
(b) FIRS and DPR takes cost of collection of 4% (Four percent) of Revenue collected while Customs collects 7%. In March 2022 for instance, FIRS took N15.4Billion as cost of collection and Customs took N8.4b. If these are annualised, FIRS and Customs collects about N1.84Billion and Customs N100B per annum. Obviously, some states of the Federation’s capital budget does not come close to these.
(c) Nigeria Federation has 49% shareholding in NLNG. According to the Minister of Finance during the 2020 budget performance brief at the National Assembly stated that the federation received dividend of N144billion (One Hundred and Forty Four Billion) from NLNG. These figure to the best of our knowledge was never paid into the Federation Account.
(d)) NNPC deducts N8.33Billion monthly for the rehabilitation of the Refineries in Nigeria. Till date no refinery is working.
(e) On priority projects of the Nation’s oil industry, NNPC deducted N788.78Billion for various investments between 2018-2021 without recourse to FAAC.
(f) NNPC in 2021 alone claimed to have paid over One Trillion Naira as petroleum subsidy. Indeed, the month of March 2022, N220Billion was deducted as oil subsidy with a promise that N328Billion will be deducted in April 2022. This is unacceptable.
(g) NNPC and FIRS as well as other remitting Agencies continue to apply an exchange rate of N389/$1 as against the Import and Export window of N416/$1. The extent of this leakage can be better felt, if this rate is compared to the current N570/$1.
(h) From available records about N7.6T is withheld between 2012 and 2021, by NNPC from the Federation Account. All these are said to be payments for oil subsidy.
(i) Conclusively, we believe that all these leakages in NNPC have been made possible because the President is also the Minister of Petroleum. The urgent separation of these two portfolios have become necessary
7. The Forum noted the approval by the PDP NEC of the Time Table and Timelines for Congresses and Convention of the Party and urged all party members and party leadership to remain focused and united to win power in 2023, to tackle the myriads of problems facing the country.
8. The PDP Governors congratulated the host, His Excellency, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, the PDP Governors’ Forum Vice Chairman, for his generosity and hospitality in the hosting of the meeting.
By Our Reporter
The Founder of Gender And Development Action and a major contender for the office of governor of Cross River State, Amb. Nkoyo Toyo met with youths of Odukpani local government area to intimate them of her intention to contest for the office of Governor.
Amb Toyo, a former federal lawmaker at the meeting stressed the need for young people to begin to ask aspirants the right questions that will generate right answers.
She cautioned young people against thuggery and all forms of political violence, while advising them to refrain from being used as channels of destruction by some politicians and enemies of democracy.
At Odot ward, Amb Nkoyo Toyo appreciated the youths for coming out in their numbers to receive her and called on them to take time and scrutinize all those aspiring for the office of governor within the PDP family and choose from the best.
Amb. Toyo who is the only female aspirant so far in PDP for the office of governor, described herself as the best person for the job with all the qualities of a leader.
“Among all of use aspiring for this job, look at us very well and our qualifications, networks, previous achievements and judge us by that. The PDP has a lot of work to do. We are in the opposition and as such we need to project a candidate who is easy to market to the people. Not those who the people will reject even before you begin to talk about them
“if they say the have gone to school, I have, they say they have been to the national assembly, I have also been there. Infact, my records while there speakes volume, more so with the testimonies all of you have mentioned here” Toyo said.
In Adiabo ward where Amb Toyo also met with the youths leaders, she cautioned them against selling their consciences and votes for a token and suffer for another four years.
Some of the youths who spoke at the meeting expressed appreciation to her for the visit while saluting her courage to contest for the office of governor come 2023.
Amb. Toyo becomes the only governorship aspirant in the PDP who is connecting directly to the people through town hall meetings with different groups including Elders, Women, Youths and people living with disability across the state. A complete departure from the traditional campaign gatherings typical with politicians.
According to her “we must change the narrative, this is the only way you can really know the problems of the people ward by ward, village by village and local government by local government. We want to be sure that at the end of the day, the people makes the right choice with the power that they have”
DAVID UMAHI: WHO DID YOU VOTE FOR, PARTY OR CANDIDATE?
Until the Supreme Court puts this to rest, and even long after that, this debate will rage on. My joy is that the Supreme Court is not just a Court of Law but also one of policy. The Law Lords will not just look at the law, but logic and commonsense surrounding the facts and the law.
Who owns the votes cast at an election? Party or candidate? My answer is, both. It is a time bound political marriage of convenience. The Constitution never contemplated a divorce before the effluxion of this time.
However, those who say the votes belong solely to the candidate even have a weaker argument. The facts of this case and the law in Faleke vs INEC doesn’t support them.
Let’s look at another fact. Who do we vote for during an election, the candidate or party? In the 2019 Ebonyi State Gubernatorial Election, was it PDP that was voted for or it was David Umahi?
I invite you to turn to the ballot papers used in that election to find your answer. Find attached ballot papers used in that election. Look at them very well. Have you seen it?
When we go to vote, we go to vote for parties not candidates. Ballot papers carry the names of political parties, not candidates. Ebonyi people thumb printed beside PDP in the 2019 Gubernatorial Election. The name “David Umahi” was not on the ballot paper. The votes belong to the party.
This is why the Certificate of Return issued to him by INEC states that: “I hereby certify that Nweze David Umahi of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been elected to the office of Governor of Ebonyi State…” Without the PDP he is nothing, but without him, the PDP still has their votes.
“… of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)…” denotes ownership. No one, who is not “of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)”, owners of the votes counted from the ballot papers, could be Governor. Simple.
The APC has a particular number of votes in that election; not enough to produce a Governor. It is incongruous therefore that anyone claiming to belong to them should be Governor in 2019, or anytime thereafter, before another general election. This is a mockery of our constitutional and partisan democracy.
It shouldn’t stand.
– By Firsts Baba Isa (FBI)
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are strictly that of the author, First Baba Isa and does not represent TheLumineNews or the organization the author works for.
DAVID UMAHI: HOW DEFECTION INVALIDATES HIS CERTIFICATE OF RETURN
Find attached the Certificate of Return issued to David Umahi before he was sworn in as Governor.
Get any certificate of any Governor in Nigeria, or any elected official, let’s have this conversation; please, constantly look at the Certificate of Return as we progress.
Section 75 (1) of the Electoral Act 2010, states that “A sealed Certificate of Return at an election in a prescribed form shall be issued within 7 days to every candidate who has won an election under this Act.” See section 72 (1) of the Electoral Act 2022.
Without a Certificate of Return there is no evidence that a candidate won an election and he cannot be sworn into office. A Certificate of Return is the gold medal of an election; without it, you can’t lay claim to be a winner.
Now, let’s look at the Certificate of Return issued to Umahi.
It says: “I hereby certify that Nweze David Umahi of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been elected to the office of Governor of Ebonyi State…”
Did you see that?
“Nweze David Umahi of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)…”
Let’s look at the meaning of the proposition or the word “of”.
“Of” is used in expressing the relationship between a part and a whole.
So, the Certificate of Return made it abundantly clear that Nweze David Umahi (is a part) OF Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) (the whole)…” One cannot exist without the other in governing Ebonyi State. That’s why the Federal Government led by President Buhari is known as the APC Government. This is how it is all over the world that practise partisan democracy.
You can never divorce your government from your political party. In fact, the president or governor is the leader of his political party at the Federal or State, respectively.
When the people voted for you, it was your party’s manifesto, aims, objectives and proposed plans that they voted for. They saw the manifestoes of other political parties but chose yours. You are expected to implement your party’s manifesto as Governor. You can’t convince people to vote for one manifesto and then turn round to defect and adopt another one they rejected at the polls. That’s criminally dishonest.
Back to the Certificate of Return, a new one has not and cannot be issued to David Umahi after his defection. The only Certificate of Return he holds that empowers him to be Governor of Ebonyi State, is the one that reads: “Nweze David Umahi of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)…”
You cannot hold a Certificate of Return that says you are of the PDP, while you have declared publicly that you have left the PDP. By this singular action, you have invalidated the Certificate of Return, the only document that gives you the power to be Governor.
As long as David Umahi maintains he has left the PDP, and as long as the only Certificate of Return issued to him by INEC states that: “I hereby certify that Nweze David Umahi of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been elected to the office of Governor of Ebonyi State…”, Umahi cannot continue to be Governor.
He might be righteous but he has destroyed his foundation. And as the Psalmist lamented in Psalm 11:3, “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?”
This applies to other Governors, like Ben Ayade of Cross River State, who have also decamped but holding Certificates of Return carrying the name of another political party.
– By Firsts Baba Isa (FBI)
The senator Representing Cross River North Senatorial District, Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, has empowered chapter executives of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Obudu, Bekwarra, and Obanliku Federal Constituency.
The State Deputy Chairman of the party (North), Chief Austin Edibe, while presenting the items urged the beneficiaries to remain steadfast in their services to the party. He said the gesture is one of the ways in which the senator wishes to commend their efforts in supporting the party to grow from the grassroots.
He further encouraged them to always have the interest of the party while working for the success and progress of the party in the senatorial district and state at large.
Commenting on the development, Chapter chairmen and members of their cabinet, described the Distinguished Senator as a performer who has always kept his words in delivering the dividends of democracy to the good people of Cross River North, they appreciated the lawmaker and further pledged their unalloyed loyalty and support to ensure that the party moves to an enviable position in their respective local government areas.
OGOJA/YALA BYE ELECTION AS A LITMUS TEST.
The much anticipated Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency bye election has finally come and gone. The uncertainties surrounding the outcome, whether the result as announced by INEC is final or there may be a redress at the Election Petition Tribunal is left for the future.
The election may have been concluded and a winner declared by INEC, but a good look at some facts and figures may leave us with a different impression other than the earlier assumption that the party who emerged winner determines the overall outcome of the 2023 election.
From what was declared by INEC, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief Jude Ngaji scored a total of 22,778(52.5%) to beat his closest rival, the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Hon. Mike Usibe who scored 20,590(47.5%). The percentage margin between the candidates is just (5.05%).
Judging by the fact that the candidate of the APC is a very popular personality and someone who is contesting for the second time in less than four years, 5.05% is rather a margin too insignificant to celebrate, especially by a ruling party. The implication of this is that, only Chief Jude Ngaji who currently enjoys goodwill across parties can win any election for the ruling party.
Again, it is on record that Ogoja/Yala currently constitute over 65% of the state appointees in Northern Senatorial District, with Yala LGA dominating in some key strategic appointments. Having people such as; the former DG of Due Process, now APC Chairman, the sacked senator, returned as SUBEB Chairman, CRUTECH Vice Chancellor and other high profile appointees all from Yala. One would ordinarily have expected a landslide margin, but the reality at hand is rather shocking.
The most recent appointment which was released on the eve of the bye election numbering up to 93 appointees had Ogoja/Yala topping the list as always. Some of us expected the new appointees to show appreciation by harvesting adequate votes. But the lean margin of 5.05% is a clear indication that the Governor’s concentration of his appointment in his preferred location has not yielded bountifully.
In 2023, APC members in places like Bekwarra must brace up for a tough time. As currently constituted, Bekwarra sits at the lowest rung on the list of appointees.With just two Commissioners, a Senior Special Adviser and other appointees of Bekwarra origin occupying the basest offices. It is clear that Bekwarra has not been in the reckoning of Ben Ayade’s Government. Glaringly, Ayade has scant regard or disdain for Bekwarra, same place he has claimed his grandmother hails from all in attempt to scam the people into aligning with him politically.
The marginalisation of Bekwarra people continues when he left Bekwarra out without any viable industry, except the reported groundnut milling oil factory, which he has been trying grudgingly to complete. With this stark reality, Bekwarra would have no option than to seek a new realignment as the 2023 general election beckons, with Ayade believed to be seeking a return to the senate.
This is why the just concluded House of Representatives bye election is an eye opener. From the outcome of the election Ogoja has totally rejected APC, Bekwarra is aggrieved, Obanliku is unhappy. Consequently, Obudu and Yala cannot secure him a return to the senate.
The Nigerian Police Force whose contribution in intimidating electorate largely influenced the actualisation of the lean margin of 5.05% won’t afford the luxury of sending over 5000 officers to each Local Government of Cross River State in 2023. And because it would be a general election, the possibility of having a police helicopter hovering over of every Local Government is very much unlikely.
Those planning to hide under state powers and the security for intimidation as recorded at many instances across Ogoja and Yala would be disappointed.
If the Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency bye election was a litmus test, then APC and Governor Ayade have their work cut out for them.
Equally, the trouncing of the APC by the PDP in Akpabuyo State bye election sums up the acceptability deficit of the power of the party in the state.
Agaji Adie Ntamu (SAT)
Is a Strategic Media Consultant,
and a Seasoned Teacher.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are strictly that of the author, Agaji Adie Ntamu and does not represent TheLumineNews or the organization the author works for.
The senator representing Cross River Northern Senatorial District, Sen Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe has been appointed alongside six others to serve in the Appeal Committee for the Lagos State Congress.
In a release signed by the National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Hon Debo Ologunagba and sighted by TheLumineNews, indicates Sen Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe is to serve as Secretary while Aldophus Wabara PhD is to serve as Chairman of the committee.
The release reads in full *March 2, 2022 Press Statement PDP Constitutes Lagos State Congress Appeal Panel.
“The National Working Committee of our great Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has constituted the Lagos State Congresses Appeal Committee to consider appeals arising from the conduct of the State Congress in Lagos State. The members of the Committee are:
“1. H.E. Sen. Adolphus Wabara, PhD.- Chairman.
2. Dr Akilu Indabawa – member
3. Hajiya Inna Maryam Ciroma – member
4. Chief Emmanuel Ogidi – member
5. Hon. Aro Bamidele – member
6. Barr Oji Zawo member
7. Dist. Sen. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe – Secretary.
“The exercise is scheduled to hold on Thursday, March 3 to Friday, March 4, 2022 at the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja. Signed: Hon. Debo Ologunagba National Publicity Secretary”.
The Peoples Democratic Party in Cross River State has rejected the result of the February 26 bye-election for the Ogoja/Yala Federal House of Representatives seat.
Speaking at a news conference in Calabar, on Tuesday, the state Chairman of the party, Venatius Ikem, said the election was marred by malpractices and violence, insisting that the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Mike Usibe, won the election.
He accused some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission of compromising the electoral process in favour of the All Progressives Congress, whose candidate, Jude Ngaji, was declared winner by the returning officer, John Edor.
According to him, “We reject in totality the results announced by the Returning Officer in the Saturday, February 26, bye-election for the House of Representatives seat for Ogoja/Yala, in which the APC candidate was wrongfully declared a winner, because he did not score the majority of valid votes cast in that election.
“The bye-election was characterised by massive irregularities, including violence, orchestrated by the APC-led government and her officials who snatched ballot boxes and other election materials at will at gun point and manipulated the results to their advantage.”
He also alleged and demanded “as a matter of urgency the disbandment of the Special Police units under the Chief Security Officer of the Governor, which he is using for thuggery and political purposes, raining mayhem on innocent voters, contrary to all expectations of a neutral state security outfit.”
Ikem also made other demands, among which is “that the Independent National Electoral Commission investigates its staff, especially one Mr. Toyin, an Assistant Director or Deputy Director in the Commission’s office in Calabar in charge of the IT unit, with a view to unravelling his interference with the BVAS machines deployed for the election, which he claimed that 5 units were missing
before the election, and which were alleged to have suddenly emerged at election centres.
“We demand that Mr. Festus Okoye (National Commissioner) be equally investigated and never again posted for election duty to Cross River State, because he has shown clearly that he comes
here at the behest of Governor Ayade and to do his dirty work of subverting the will of the electorate in the state.
“Most importantly, we demand that INEC should produce all BVAS machines used for the election to ascertain if the accreditation recorded in the machines corresponds with the number of votes declared by the Returning Officer in the February 26 bye-election.”
He said the party has evidence to prove that the election was rigged in favour of the All Progressives Congress and hoped that the result will be upturned through legal processes in favour of the PDP.
Video clips of the alleged violence and ballot box snatching by the APC officials were shown to journalists at the venue of the event.