The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Ebonyi state has alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) plans to rig the governorship and state house of assembly elections in the state.
According to a statement, Sunday, signed by Mr Charles Otu, Director Media and Publicity, Odohzhia Ebonyi Campaign Council, APGA has uncovered a grand plot by the APC in Ebonyi to transfer a total sum of N7.8bn from one of the state government’s accounts allegedly meant to compromise the electoral integrity of the polls for immediate disbursement to underlisted persons and agencies involved in the said election.
He said: “The Odohzia Ebonyi Campaign Council, has uncovered a grand plot by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State led by Governor David Umahi to transfer a total sum of N7.8bn from one of the state government’s accounts allegedly meant to compromise the electoral integrity of the polls for immediate disbursement to underlisted persons and agencies involved in the said election.
“According to reliable sources, the said sum is to be distributed in agreed sums to the Electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, security agencies such as the Police and soldiers who will be involved in election duties and the Returning Officers for the election in various local government areas.
“We call on Ebonyians to be vigilant and report any such suspicious transactions or attempts to manipulate this Saturday’s election to the security and other appropriate agencies for immediate action. We should not be cowed, threatened or our consciences bought with just a morsel of bread from those who have held this State hostage in the last eight years of cosmetic governance.”
However, while responding to the allegation, the Special Assistant to Governor David Umahi on Media and Strategy, Chooks Oko, said APGA has boxed itself to a clannish corner and that it was only the guilty that should be afraid.
“The problem with the party called APGA is that it is always overrating its relevance among political parties in the state. Why would anyone waste his time plotting against a party that has boxed itself to a clannish corner?” he said.
