APGA accuses PDP, state government of burning INEC’s office in Abia

• Party denies allegation as presidential candidate flays Buhari for failures
Gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr. Alex Otti, has condemned the burning of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s office in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area at the weekend.

Director General of the Campaign Organisation, Dr. Max Nduaguibe, who addressed journalists yesterday in Umuahia said, “The arson is planned to force the relocation of INEC office from Umuikaa to Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Headquarters at Omoba.”

He said the area is controlled by the PDP adding that the incident was also planned to destroy uncollected permanent voter cards (PVCs) belonging to supporters of APGA in the area.

He also said the incident has the usual signature of agents of the Abia State government and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), adding that it was beyond mere coincidence.

“The destruction of the office happened barely two days after the massive turn out of supporters at the party’s campaign rallies at Isiala Ngwa North and South local government areas that were addressed by Otti and other APGA candidates,” he added.

However, the PDP in Abia State has reacted to APGA’s allegation that it was responsible for last Saturday’s burning of INEC’s office at Umuikaa.

State Publicity Secretary, Okwubunka Don Ubani, told The Guardian that the allegation was false, adding: “It is a lie as PDP has no reason to destroy INEC Office in Isiala Ngwa South is a stronghold of the PDP.”

Meanwhile, APGA’S Presidential Candidate Major General John Gbor (rtd.) has said he was seeking election to presidential seat to fix the nation’s challenges.

Gbor, who made the declaration yesterday during a media briefing in Makudi, Benue State, expressed disappointment over the inability of President Mohammadu Buhari to fix the country’s challenges as someone that had served the nation as military head of state.

He said, if elected Nigeria’s President, he will create a National Guard to complement the police in providing internal security to lives and property, while the over stretched military will concentrate at the borders to check external aggression.