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… As INEC Cancels Election in Bonny
By Joel Anekwe
Six persons, including a former chairman of Andoni Local Government Area, Mowan Etete, an Army Lieutenant and 4 other persons have been allegedly killed in parts of Rivers State during the Presidential and National Assembly elections on Saturday.
While three persons, including the former chairman, his elder brother and cousin whose names are yet to be fully ascertained were killed in Asarama, the soldier and two other persons were allegedly killed at Abonnema, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area following a shootout.
Etete was killed by armed thugs who were said to have also dispatched his elder brother and another victim believed to be his cousin to their early graves today (Saturday).
The Abonnema incident occurred following heavy shootings reported in the area, even as several persons were reported to have sustained injuries.
Police spokesman, Nnamdi Omoni confirmed the killings to our correspondent even though he declined to make further comments.
Also, the reaction of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt was still being awaited as the deputy director Army Public Relations, Col. Aminu Iliyasu promised to make same available to our correspondent when it is ready.
But a statement by the APC publicity secretary in Rivers State, Senibo Chris Finebone, said Etete was former council chairman of Andoni local government area while Ignatius was an ex-official member of APC Rivers State Executive committee.
He claimed that the gunmen were from the opposition party, and also killed another person believed to be late Chief Etete’s cousin.
He blamed PDP thugs for the dastardly act, saying: “PDP thugs have shot to death an APC chieftain in Asarama, Andoni LGA, Chief Mowan Etete. Etete was a former council chairman.” Also, killed was his elder brother, and another victim that is believed to be his cousin.
It is instructive to note that PDP national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus is from Andoni LGA in Rivers State. “Ignatius, an ex-official member of APC Rivers State Executive committee was also shot to death in Ajakaja, same Andoni LGA.”
In Degema Local Goverment Area and others, election materials were reported to have been snatched at several polling units.
In Degema ward 17, election materials were reportedly snatched by hoodlums in military uniform, with the SPO in the boat even as other boats conveying materials to Bakana were unable to move into the town due to shooting in the community. Also the persons and materials for Buguma were returned to INEC office due insecurity in the town.
Chairman of Ikwerre local government area, Samuel Nwanosike accused Transport minister, Rotimi Amaechi of hiring thugs to destroy election materials and cart away result sheets at unit 6, ward 8, Amaechi’s ward in Ubima.
Nwanosike said that the process was going smoothly until it got to collation of the results when the thugs suddenly arrived destroying election materials.
But media aide to the minister, David Iyofo in response, said the disturbances were actually carried out by PDP thugs and was not at the minister’s polling unit as claimed by Nwanosike.
He however said the minister would respond to the allegations later.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cancelled elections in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers after voting failed to take off there.
The commission’s spokesperson in Rivers State, Edwin Enabor, confirmed the decision on Saturday afternoon. He said elections in the area would now hold on another date to be set by the commission.
“In Bonny, there was no election at all,” said Mr Enabor, adding that: “the exercise there has been postponed. It will hold on another day.” Protesting APC members in the area had stopped materials and personnel from leaving the INEC office there, alleging that the ballot papers deployed to the area were fake.
