Prof. Charles Adias, the State Collation Officer for Presidential election results in Rivers, has adjourned the collation of results till further notice.
Adias told newsmen in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, that adjournment became imperative in view of alleged threats to his life.
The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa, alleged that there were several threats to his life.
he said the treats were coming from supporters of one particular political party.
He said those threatening him accused him of rigging the presidential election in Rivers state.
Adias explained that he was not involved in result collation and announcement at the local government level before their arrival at the commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt.
He also noted that he was not involved in voter accreditation, voting and counting of results.
Neither was he involved in the computation or validation of votes accrual to any political party.
The state collation officer requested the protection of his life and those of his family by security agents.
“In the meantime, I wish to adjourn the collation of this presidential elections results in Rivers.
“This is to enable the Residents Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Rivers to address the forgoing,” he said.
Asaid said his action also enabled “INEC to put my roles and scope in the state to the perspective of the public”.
Adias, however, reassured the public of his continued diligence and willingness to contribute towards achieving the dignity of the process and ensuring that it was free, fair, credible and inclusive.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in charge of the 2023 election in the state, Aderemi Adeoye, has given assurance that the Police would provide optimum security for the state collation officer.
Adeoye who was reacting to the outcry from Adias asked him to write formally to the force.
He noted that those issuing such threats would face the full wrath of the law.
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