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APC Slams INEC Over Its Silence About Wike’s 200,000 Special Assistants

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been criticised for its silence concerning the appointment of 200,000 special assistants to polling units by the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.

Naija News reports that the Rivers States chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is not happy about the commission’s continuous silence over the issue because it is the only body empowered by the constitution and the Electoral Act to recruit and deploy electoral personnel.

The Rivers APC in a statement issued by the party’s Port Harcourt 2023 campaign council spokesman, Sogbeye Eli on Friday claimed that INEC’s continued silence might mean there is a conspiracy about Wike’s appointment of 200,000 special advisers, and special assistants on polling units.

Eli submitted that “The Rivers APC 2023 Campaign Council hereby reminds the Independent National Electoral Commission that it is guilty of conspiracy with her silence over the appointment of 200,000 special advisers, special assistants and liaison officers on polling units by Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike.

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“For the avoidance of doubt, only INEC is empowered by the constitution and the Electoral Act to recruit and deploy electoral personnel, including ad hoc staff for election duties.

“The recruitment of anyone under any name or guise by any authority for elections in any part of Nigeria is ultra vires the laws of the land. Thus, INEC cannot continue in a manner that suggests that it is aloof to the illegality of Wike’s appointments to her own polling units.

“To many Rivers people, the silence or indifference of INEC on this; the rash enactment of Executive Orders 21 and 22 which are in gross violation of provisions of the Electoral Act 2022; and the clampdown on the rights, activities and facilities of other political parties and those Wike perceives as his political opponents have already sent dangerous signals on the credibility of the elections.

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“The recruitment of 200,000 people for deployment at polling units howsoever by a Government that scammed Rivers youths with a promise of creating 5,000 jobs under a so-called “Rivjobs” in the last four years leaves no one in doubt on the mission of those who engaged them.

“Consequently, the INEC must rise to prove her independence by getting the Wike Government of Rivers State to disband the 200,000 thugs recruited to steal Rivers votes and intimidate the electorate at next year’s general elections.

“Rivers youths must not be subjected to insult and denigration of their persons by a Government that is bound by duty to strive to maintain their personal dignity. We, therefore, apologize to our vibrant youths on behalf of an Administration that deceived them on the 5000 Riv Jobs.

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“Secondly, we apologise that they have to endure further insult for another five months from a government that believes our youths are only fit for Taskforce and thug engagements.”