Rivers reun: We have always been ready, says INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has always been ready to conclude the suspended re-run parliamentary elections in Rivers state.

Nick Dazang, deputy director of voter education and publicity in the commission, said this in an interview with NAN on Thursday in Abuja.

Dazang spoke in reaction to the December 10 deadline which the national assembly gave to the commission.

The senate had threatened to suspend plenary if INEC failed to meet the deadline.

Dazang said it was unfortunate that in spite of the commission’s readiness for the elections, some stakeholders in the state were uncooperative, not helping to create peaceful environment needed for conduct of the exercise.

He said as a sign of good faith, INEC had engaged stakeholders in several meetings in Abuja and in the state.

“In fact, at a point we articulated a road map of activities that would climax with the national and state assembly elections in the state,” he said.

“Sadly, on the eve of the proposed schedule for the conduct of the elections in that state, our office in one of the local government areas of the state was razed down.

“In spite of this, we have remained resolute in our determination and have continued to engage with stakeholders.

“Our determination is further underscored by the fact that recently, the commission directed all relevant departments to submit their inputs for the Rivers national and state assembly elections.”

Dazang said the commission’s initial plan was to conclude all suspended elections before the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo state in September and November, respectively.

“This was however truncated by the spate of violence particularly in Rivers and the inflammatory rhetoric of some stakeholders,” he said.

He said with the ultimatum by the lawmakers, INEC would meet with the stakeholders to review the situation and agree on a date.