RIVERS: More details of alleged APC contract to produce fake INEC sheets unveiled (Video)

More sordid revelations have emerged of alleged attempts to rig the December 10 Rivers rerun poll in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The police had on a tipoff stormed the printing press, Help-Mate Consult, located at 12 Isiokpo Street D-Line Port Harcourt, where it arrested the company’s director, Atonye Peterside, and other workers for allegedly printing fake INEC result sheets for the ten local government areas where the rerun is to take place.

Earlier reports claimed Peterside is a notable member of the APC from Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of the state, but the state APC Publicity Secretary, Mr. Chris Finebone, said in a statement that no member of his party was involved in the act or arrested.

He in fact stated that the whole thing was stage managed by the state’s governor, Nyesome Wike, and the PDP to put the APC in bad light.

But soon after the news broke out, more details have emerged that seem to put a lie to Finebone’s claims, revealing how the company may have come to be in possession of fake INEC materials.

Pictures have emerged purportedly of Mr Peterside on the campaign trail of APC in the state before past elections, with other notable members of the APC, among them, a former governorship candidate in Rivers State, who is now the Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dakuku Peterside.

There are also allegations that both men are related by blood but such claims are yet to be substantiated.

Also, addressing a battery of journalists in Port-Harcourt on Sunday, one Nanee Godday who claimed to be the lead Graphic Artist of Help-Mate Consult corroborated earlier reports. He narrated how he was instructed by Peterside his boss to work on the fake INEC sheets.

According to him, when he asked his boss why they were producing on what seemed like INEC material, Peterside told him he had been allegedly contracted by Mr Emma Chinda, an APC leader in the state and former Commissioner for Agriculture under Rotimi Amaechi.

Watch video of his narrative below:

Meanwhile as the accusations and counter accusations continue to fly, the Rivers State Police Command, has confirmed that its personnel in the Criminal Investigation Department, CID, made the arrest of the three persons for allegedly printing fake ballot papers for next month’s re-run legislative election in the state.

Read also: Shaken by Senate’s threat, INEC fixes Rivers rerun election for Dec 10

He said, “I can confirm the arrest of three suspects. The matter is with us and the Commissioner of Police has ordered discreet investigation. I can assure you that it is being given adequate attention and at the end of investigation, we will come out with our position”.

But, Governor Wike has alleged that the Police were already under severe pressure to drop charges against those already in its custody.

According to him, “I made sure they videoed the documents to ensure the evidence is not killed or destroyed before handing them over to the police. The police are now saying they are under pressure not to charge the suspects to court.”

Wike who maintained the claim that the printer Peterside is an APC card carrying member, also said, “We will show you his APC membership card.”

 

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now