News Report: Opposition Party Stalwart In Nigeria's Imo State Alleges Election Rigging Plans

A stalwart of the opposition Action Congress Of Nigeria(ACN) in Imo state Nigeria and facilitator of the SLAP Initiative, Mr. Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha have alleged election rigging plans by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) in Imo state in consort with the governor of the state, Chief Ikedi Ohakim. Ohakim is contesting for re-election on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).

Iwuoha, who is a staunch supporter of Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, the ACN's governorship candidate in the state in the forthcoming election alleged that "the Vigilante would be used to frighten and intimidate the people of the state on the days of the election. The Police in the state would look the other way while these are going on."

The SLAP Initiative facilitator alleged further that Youth Organizations would be armed and used to cause trouble if there is any resistance from opposition parties.

Iwuoha revealed to chidi opara reports that on March 17th 2011, there was a meeting between leaders of some Youth Organizations and governor Ohakim's representatives at The Ranch Hotel Owerri. The Governor's representatives allegedly mandated these Youth Organizations to make available their members who would be used to thumb print ballot papers in "special homes" across the state. He said that "INEC would make available colour photocopies of election documents in pooling centres, while the originals would be given to Ikedi Ohakim for onward distribution to special homes for thumb printing." Iwuoha alleged further that the Youth organizations were given the sum of fifty thousand naira each.

The ACN stalwart and Senator Ifeanyi Ararume staunch supporter alleged further that the INEC Resident Commissioner(REC) in Imo state,  Professor Selina Okoh received various sums of money from governor Ikedi Ohakim through the governor's Special Assistant On Electoral Matters, Mr Steve Asimobi. Professor Okoh have allegedly pledged assistance to the governor.

Efforts by chidi opara reports to reach the office of the governor and that of INEC in Owerri for comments though e-mails and phone calls were not successful.