…Commission denies claim
Eze Chukwuemeka, an ally to the former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission, of listing some hotels allegedly owned by members of the Peoples Democratic Party, as Registration Area Centres in Port Harcourt.
Eze, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress said the enlistment of such hotels as RACs in Port Harcourt City by INEC for the stockpiling of sensitive materials and collation of unit results in the 2023 general elections was most unfortunate and regrettable.
Eze said this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday and made available to newsmen.
He said a look into the list of h area collation centres and Registration Area Centres for Port Harcourt City LGA released by INEC reveals that “Landmark Hotels owned by Senator Olaka Nwogu, a former Federal Lawmaker and ally of Governor Nyesom Wike and Visa Karena Hotel, owned by Chief Sergeant Awuse, another PDP chieftain and Wike’s henchman, featured as RAC for Orominieke and Oroworukwo communities respectively.
The statement read, “Others are White Palace Hotel, Bebec Hotel, Hotel Dance, Comfort Hotel, White House Hotel, Maas Central Hotel, Danny T. Hotel, Orange Sea Hotel, Stanza Guest House, Thaland Place, Mainland Hotel, Ilo Garden Hotel, Mina Hotel, Otunkwe Guest House and Rachael Hotel.
“The ownership or management of the aforelisted hotels are directly or indirectly linked to the PDP and Governor Wike, therefore shortlisting them as RACs for the purpose of the 2023 elections will undermine the status of INEC and as an unbiased umpire and jeopardize the commission’s reputation built over the years.”
Eze, a former spokesman of the defunct new PDP (n-PDP) called on the INEC to rescind and withdraw its approval of the properties owned by members of the PDP for use as Registration Area Centers and revert to the use of public schools or community halls as is the case in other Local Government Areas.
He added, “Same purpose for which the above-listed private properties were approved can be taken care of by government schools and town halls in the area such as Oroworukwo Town Hall, RumuWoji Town Hall, State School, Elekahia, State School, Orominieke, Ogbumnuabali Town Hall, etc.”
He however expressed confidence that INEC and its officials will remain neutral in the discharge of the commission’s responsibilities.
Eze reminded officials of the commission that INEC was on the watch of the world and should be courageous to do the right thing at all times.
He said they should provide a level playing ground, secure the commission’s image and protect the country’s fledgling democracy.
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of INEC, Rivers State, Geraldine Ekelemu, denied the claims by Eze, saying it was the figment of the imagination of the author(s).
Ekelemu said it was wrong to think that INEC will have a registration or collation centre in a hotel.
According to her, “We (INEC) don’t have any centre in any hotel in Rivers State.
“What is being circulated is a document of ten to fifteen years ago that they have brought out. We don’t have any collation centre, registration centre or even PVC collection centre in any hotel.
“So I don’t know where that is coming from, and I urge the public to disregard such misinformation.”
