By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

A coalition of Civil Societies in Abia State has raised concerns regarding developments trailing the elections held in Abia State on Saturday, February 25, 2023.

The Coalition wondered why the Abia State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof Ike Uzochukwu, was allegedly abducted by men of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force while the election was ongoing.

A statement signed by Conveners of the Coalition, Obinna Nwagbara, Youth and Students Advocates for Development Initiative (YSAD), Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD NIGERIA), Onyinyechi Joy Nwosu, Vivacious Development Initiative (VIDI), among others, partly reads:

"Why was the REC alongside his PA detained while the election was going on? Was the directive for the Administrative Secretary to assume the role of the REC from INEC? And if so, did INEC put up a release in public domain or official document addressing the unwarranted arrest of Abia State REC?

“In his seven-page report, the REC asserted that the results as announced by certain officials in his absence may not have met the ‘minimum requirements” and this leaves a lot to be desired. We are troubled to ask if the Commission would allow Abia democracy to be raped in the open this way!

“What surprises us the most, and for which we seek explanation, is the “step-aside letter’ from the Commission directing the Abia REC to cease from carrying out further election duties.

“We are in possession of a 2-paragraph letter ordering this ‘step aside.’ The idea of step aside rings a bell to our ears as a certain military dictator who annulled the most popular, freest and fairest election in our nation's history used that expression when he sought leave from governance.

“Why will the Commission rather than address the alleged abduction and detention of its REC go ahead to order the same REC to step aside without an enquiry on his sudden disappearance on a crucial day of election? INEC, the DSS and the Police owe Abians explanation to all these. We, as citizens, have the right to know.”

The Coalition explained that its work in the Abia State electoral space began before Dr. Joseph Ilo, Prof. Uzochukwu’s predecessor, adding that they have maintained channels and avenues, as civil society groups, through which it interfaces and interacts with INEC.

The group added that a report at its disposal which was also sent to the Commission’s headquarters, Prof. Uzochukwu narrated his travails and ordeals on Election Day, when he was abducted by security agencies and placed under “forceful detention” and “false arrest” such that his detention, as he claimed, affected the declaration of results and pronouncement of winners made thereto.

The Coalition added: “We reject this development in its entirety and call on INEC to thoroughly look into the report from the embattled Abia REC,” as the unexplained circumstances surrounding his being forced out of the Commission may create negative impacts that could affect future elections in Abia.

“We raise these issues, aware of the apathy it may create on the already angered Abians, especially the youth and first-time voters both now and in the future,” the Coalition said and called on the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of DSS to look into the alleged conduct and role of their personnel in the said detention and explain to Nigerians what truly happened.

They should equally bring to book any officer of the law within their ranks found culpable and complicit, the group demanded.

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