SaharaReporters has learned that scores of agents of the State Security Services (SSS) today invaded a hotel where Nasir El-Rufai, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and now a top official of the All Progressives Congress (APC) lodged overnight. The officials of the SSS, Nigeria’s secret police, refused to let Mr. El-Rufai to leave Finotel Hotel in Awka to monitor the gubernatorial election going on in Anambra State today.
SaharaReporters has learned that scores of agents of the State Security Services (SSS) today invaded a hotel where Nasir El-Rufai, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and now a top official of the All Progressives Congress (APC) lodged overnight. The officials of the SSS, Nigeria’s secret police, refused to let Mr. El-Rufai to leave Finotel Hotel in Awka to monitor the gubernatorial election going on in Anambra State today.
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In a brief telephone interview with SaharaReporters, Mr. El-Rufai confirmed that the SSS had barricaded the gates of the hotel where he is staying and prevented reporters as well as lawyers from having access to him.
The former FCT minister, who is the APC’s deputy national secretary, told SaharaReporters that he remained in confinement at the time of speaking with our correspondent.
Meanwhile Chris Ngige, the APC’s governorship candidate, has decried the conduct of today’s election. He expressed disappointment over the performance of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the ongoing election in the state.
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Mr. Ngige, a medical doctor, voiced his dismay shortly after his accreditation at Nkwo Ide public square in the Idemili South local government area of Anambra State. He said voting in the Anambra Central senatorial districts was marred by various crises, including voters not finding their names on the list.
He also accused security agents of barring some of his party agent from polling units.
“I am disappointed in INEC over the conduct of this election. Some of our party agents have been barred from entering the polling units,” said Mr. Ngige. He added that many of his supporters were not allowed for accreditation all over Nnewi South local government area.
A correspondent of SaharaReporters also reported that result sheets were not available in some areas of the state several hours into today’s polling.
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