Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, has raised concerns over the conduct of free and fair polls in 2019 following allegations of the creation of additional polling units in some parts of the country while other parts are being left out.
Dr Lawrence Ekwok, Chairman of the Fellowship in Cross River State who raised issue over “secret polling units” during and interaction with the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo in Calabar said the secrets polling stations would give unfair advantage to some sections of the country in 2019 election, if allowed to function.
Ekwok also raised concern over the frequent clashes between herdsmen and farmers in several parts of the country which he said had led to the killing of many people and the issue of Leah Sharibu, who is still in the hands of Boko Haram several months after others were released.
“We are curious to know when Leah Sharibu, the Christian girl, would be released by the Boko Haram sect or efforts the government is making towards this because the silence is disturbing going by the fact that it was an emotional issue and her parents are daily going through trauma.
“Many farmers are now scared of going to their farms and reports indicate that food production is dwindling owing to the frequent clashes between herders and farmers. We therefore, would like to know what the government is doing to end these clashes across the country.”
Reacting to the concerns raised, the Vice President denied knowledge of the existence of secret polling units in any part of the country, noting that the creation of polling units was a statutory responsibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the commission would not engage in any activity that could pose a threat to the conduct of free and poll in 2019.
“The issue of Leah Sharibu is a emotional one and the government is making contact with the Boko Haram sect and negotiations are ongoing for her release but this is made difficult with the split of the Boko Haram into two and function independent of each other.”
He said there are still about 110 Chibok girls in captivity and government was not resting in its efforts towards getting her and other girls freed from captivity.
