Prof Charles Adias – Rivers collation officer suspends process, alleges threat to life

The Collation Officer for the Presidential election in Rivers State and Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Prof Charles Adias has suspended the collation of results in the state over alleged threat to his life by supporters of a political party.

Adias had alleged on Monday, February 27, 2023, that members of the Labour Party have been sending threats to his phone.

“I have been receiving calls from supporters of your party. Even as I am here my phone is full of test messages of your party people threatening to kill me and do all sorts of things,” he said in his response to a question by the Labour Party agent at the state collation centre on Monday.

“They are saying I am here to rig the elections. I advise that if you have issues, go to your polling units.”

Despite appeals from party agents asking him to complete the process, he insisted that collation will be adjourned.

“When there are problems at the polling unit, the attack is on my phone that I am responsible. The INEC is able to address this misinformation, we can reconsider and reconvene. For now, collation is adjourned,” Adias said while announcing the adjournment of collation on Tuesday, February 28, 2023.