By Nnaya Eziyi, Umuahia
Abia State Chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Johnson Onuigbo has said it is impossible to rig an election without the knowledge and backing of the umpire.
Onuigbo stated this while reacting to the postponement of last Saturday’s elections by the Independent National Electorial Commission (INEC) in Umuahia, the state capital.
“Rigging cannot be possible in this country without the active participation and support of the INEC, because it is the sole organizer and constodian of the election materials,” he said.
He expressed fears that the setback will cause voter apathy, appealing to the electorate not to be discouraged by it and to come out enmasse on the rescheduled dates to vote.
“This is the time for us to ensure the general election go the way we want the polls to go to move the country forward along the desired path,” Onuigbo maintained.
He denied the alleged arrest of three PDP members with fake results in favour of their Presidential and National Assembly candidates in the postponed election in Umuahia last Friday.
He said it was the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) that was planning to rig the election, adding that they will not allow them to have their way no matter how much they tried.
