Abia APC Alleges Plot To Burn Down Bende Collation Centre, Calls For Investigation

The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has raised the alarm over an alleged plot to disrupt the collation of election results in Bende Local Government Area ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The party alleged that a petition was being circulated to the Independent National Electoral Commission requesting the relocation of the Bende collation centre from the Bende Local Government Council area to Umuahia.

In a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Uche Aguoru, the APC claimed that the petition allegedly cited fears of an attack on the Bende Local Government Council, which has hosted the INEC collation centre.

The party further alleged that the petition requested, as an alternative, that the collation centre be moved to an open central school in Bende town.

The APC said it was concerned about what it described as an attempt to create uncertainty around the location of the collation of results and called on INEC to investigate the origin and authenticity of the petition.

“We call on INEC to disregard such a request and treat it as fake and unfounded,” Aguoru said.

The party also urged security agencies, including the Department of State Services, the National Security Adviser’s office, the Abia State Police Command and the Inspector-General of Police, to investigate the allegation and take appropriate measures to protect electoral facilities.

The APC specifically called for an investigation into whoever authored or submitted the alleged petition, saying any attempt to create fear around election facilities should be addressed before it escalates.

The party also urged the Inspector-General of Police to caution political actors against actions capable of creating tension in Bende during the election period.

The APC said it remained prepared for the 2027 elections and would deploy its party agents to monitor the voting, counting and collation processes.

However, the party’s claims concerning the alleged petition and its purported authorship could not independently be established from the information available.

INEC regulations provide for the involvement of political party agents in the collation process, while security personnel are required to protect election officials, electoral materials and collation centres and prevent disturbances or threats to the electoral process.

INEC’s official directory also lists its Bende LGA office at the Bende LGA Secretariat in Bende, Abia State.

The development comes as political parties in Abia intensify preparations for the 2027 elections. The Labour Party has already conducted its 2027 primary elections in the state, with candidates emerging for the governorship and legislative contests.

The APC said all stakeholders should work to ensure that the 2027 electoral process in Bende and across Abia is conducted peacefully and that voters are allowed to cast their ballots without intimidation or disruption.