Parties, observers, disagree over Rivers Governorship, Assembly elections

Representatives of some political parties in Rivers and observer groups on Wednesday, expressed different views on the outcome of the Governorship and House of Assembly elections in the State.

The United Nations Women and Pan African Observers said at a news conference in Port Harcourt that the elections in the state were free and fair.

Mrs Eno Udensi, President, Pan African Women observers, said the elections in Rivers were peaceful and creditable.

 Udensi added that the results that produced the PDP candidate, Chief Nyesom Wike, as winner, were a reflection of the will of the people.

However, representatives of All Progressives Congress (APC), and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), disagreed with the observers’ reports.

Mr Ajentekebia Harry of AGPA said the Pan African Women observers were biased.

Harry said their report showed that they did not cover the state properly, adding, ``they should not mislead the people with their reports.

``You cannot tell us that the Presidential and National Assembly elections, including the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections in the state were free and fair.

``It is unbelievable because there were incidents of shooting, killing and snatching of ballot boxes in different parts of the state.

``I am a candidate for House of Assembly in Asari/Toru, I know what I saw; there was no election in my constituency because of shooting.

``In fact, shooting started from Friday evening during the governorship and state House of Assembly elections’’, he said.

Harry described the observers’ reports ``as irritating/’’

Mrs Victoria Nyeche, the APC House of Assembly candidate, Port Harcourt City constituency 1, said the election was manipulated.

``There was a lot evidence to prove that the election was marred with irregularities.

``I truly appreciate you as observers, but one thing we must know is that it is not everywhere in Rivers State that you monitored election.

``There were incidents of irregularities; but in those areas, PDP candidates were declared winners”, she said.