The Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Rivers State, Aniedi Ikoiwak, has reacted to the allegations of the Rivers State Governor that the electoral body has fraudulently recruited adhoc staff for the rerun elections in the state.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner told journalists in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital that the commission is non-partisan in the recruitment of adhoc staff for any election.
He maintained that the claims by Governor Wike were not true.
He promised that the commission would continue to ensure that persons recruited are trained as well as maintain political neutrality in its approach in the conduct of the polls.
Aniedi ikoiwak reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to a free and credible polls during the Rivers rerun.
According to him, INEC included APC Ward Chairmen and Ward Secretaries as Assistant Presiding Officers (APO’s).
He made the declaration while flagging off the rehabilitation of the General Hospital, Terabor and General Hospital, Bodo in Gokana Local Government Area on Thursday.
Wike expressed shock that the electoral umpire could publish a list of ad-hoc staff, describing it as fraught with such level of fraud.
He presented the alleged fake INEC ad-hoc list to thousands of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters in Gokana, noting that the members of the opposition party have been duly identified.
According to him, “INEC and her sponsors will be resisted”.
