THISDAYonline

A coalition of political parties in Enugu State has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Tafa Balogun alleging a plot to foment violence by the state government at the April elections using 135 senior and junior police officers aided by thugs.

The petition, signed by the chairmen of 17 political parties, alleged that policemen deployed to the state were already receiving fina-ncial inducement from the state government waiting for the time they would be ordered to hijack ballot boxes for the purpose of rigging the elections.

"Information available to us indicate that the Governor of Enugu State has requested for 15 senior police officers and 120 policemen to be posted to him in Government House to be deployed by him for the purpose of rigging the forthcoming general elections," they alleged.

The chairmen of the 17 parties in the coalition include Chief Anthony Ojielo (APGA), Chief Emma Eneukwu (ANPP), Chief Augustine Aduba (AD), Engr. Gozie Eneh (NDP), Chief Callistus Ibekwu (PRP) Comrade Chigbo Eze (PAC), Chief C.I.A. Mbonu and Comrade Jude Okolo (NRP).

Others are Mr. Charles Atu (Community Party), Mr. Johnny emejulu (PMP), Mr. Solomon Ndu (ARP), Chief Mike Ugwu (UNPP), Mr. Nze Moses Ojih (LDPN), Mr. C.V.C. Onyejekwe (GPN), Mr. Ethel Anyaji (JP), Mr. Paul Nkwueke (CPN) and Mr. V.C. Odumejemba (NCP).

They alleged that the governor had procured mobile police uniforms for distribution to things to enable them hijack ballot boxes in favour PDP candidates.

They expressed lack of confidence in the Indepen-dent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stressing that the commission had been compromised.

They expressed surprise that the State Security Service (SSS) had not reported the development with a view to stemming the impending crisis.