We have been briefed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) of the
following facts:
1. That on Monday, 11th of November, 2013, and Tuesday, 12th of November, 2013, the International
Foundation for Electoral Systems in collaboration with the Independent National
Electoral Commission conducted training for accredited independent election
observers who are to observe the Anambra State gubernatorial election scheduled
for Saturday, 16th November, 2013.
2. That on Thursday, November 14th, 2013, the accredited observers who
participated in the training above, met at Disyne Hotel located at Owerri, Imo
State, for further training of their members ahead of the Anambra State
gubernatorial election scheduled for Saturday, 16th November, 2013.
3. That to the utmost dismay of the innocent
and patriotic election observers, at about 2:00pm, the hotel where they were
undergoing training was surrounded by heavily armed police officers acting on
the instruction of Mohammed Katsina,
Commissioner of Police, Imo State, who arrested the entire 120 persons
undergoing training.
5. That the entire accredited observers are
currently in detention at the Imo State Police Command for no offence.
We however, cannot fathom or comprehend the rationale behind the
actions or decisions of Mohammed
Katsina, Commissioner of Police, Imo State, mentioned above, as same are
totally untenable in a civilized and democratic society.
We cannot imagine why accredited election observers, who were specifically
trained by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems in collaboration
with the Independent National Electoral Commission, to observe/monitor the
Anambra State gubernatorial election, should be arrested and detained less than
24 hours to the election.
We think that this is one of the grand plots to rig the Anambra State
gubernatorial election scheduled for tomorrow by crippling genuine election
observers and allowing fake observers to observe the process.
In the light of the above, we call on the Inspector General of Police to
order the immediate release of the 120 accredited independent election
observers currently in detention at the Imo State Police Command so they can
perform their patriotic duties tomorrow.
Thank you.
FESTUS
KEYAMO, ESQ.
No comments:
Post a Comment