By Philip Ezuma, Port Harcourt
Niger Delta group, Patriotic Forum of Niger Delta (PAFOND) has threatened legal action against activities of the Akwa Ibom state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mike Igini, if the13 man Committee the group set up to investigate the matter finds the REC meddlesome.
The group threats followed an emergency exco meeting in Bayelsa State on the REC’s criticism of the All Progressives’ Congress, APC governorship and senatorial candidates in a statement credited to him.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting yesterday, its National Chairman, Comrade Owo Udoh said PAFOND observed such a statement from Mr Igini, with dismay, pointing out that such a statement coming from an INEC official was capable of igniting political tension in that state.
“The REC has no right to dispute the party primary election that produced a candidate. If however Mr Igini has interest in politics, he should leave his job and join politics”, he said.
Comrade Udoh maintained that as a group advocating for one political voice for the Niger Delta, they would not sit down and watch one of their sons that trying to destroy the future of a particular senatorial district and the chances of other candidates in the name of ‘ personal Interest’
Comrade Udo further regretted that such a statement coming from such a high profile INEC official portends danger and mistrust for the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC.
While appealing for neutrality in subsequent election matters, he however, called on the INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu to look into the issue as a matter of urgency, to forestall any unforeseen circumstance.
“I think from the statement Mike Igini made, reveals that he has compromised, and for us in PAFOND, we will not allow that ”, Comrade Owo Udoh said.
Also Speaking, the Spokesman of the group, Apostle John Amaowoh, also said that such matter was the exclusive right of the political party, and not for the REC to have involved himself in, adding that, if Mr Mike Igini, had any score to settle with Senator Godswill Akpabio, he should be bold to confront him, as a man and not to play the spoiler game.
