PDP raises alarm over plot to rig Lokoja/Kogi bye election

The Kogi State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party on Monday said it has uncovered plans by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to rig the August 11 bye election for Lokoja/Kogi federal constituency.

In a statement by the party issued and signed by Kabiru Mohammed, on behalf of Engr Bashiru Abubakar campaign organization, it said it heard on good authority that the APC working in collusion with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has relocated the local government collation centers from INEC designated centres to Lokoja and Kogi LGA Secretariat.

According to the PDP, "this would be the first time in the history of the state that local government council secretariats would be used as collation centres.

The PDP said it has been briefed that the Council Administrators who are interested parties in the bye election, are to use their offices in the Secretariat to manipulate the results.

The PDP said part of the plan to manipulate the poll is for security agencies who would be working for government, allow staff and government agents access in and out of the Secretariat.

The PDP called on INEC to absolves itself of complicity by making the local government headquarters of INEC in the two LGAs as collation centers, pointing out that "any attempt to test the will of the people would be resisted."

Reacting, the Head of Voters Education and Publicity at INEC in Kogi State, Alhaji Biambo Bagudu denied the allegations of colluding with any party to rig the election.

He said the INEC collations centres in Lokoja and Kogi local government areas have not been changed, assuring that the Commission as an umpire would ensure conduct free, fair and transparent bye election without fear or favour.