Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the just concluded National Assembly election in Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency of Abia State, Hon Ifeanyi Uchendu has rejected the declaration of Mr. Ibe Okwara winner of the election.
This comes as the APC candidate, Chief Dan Okeke also kicked against the result declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
RT Hon Ifeanyi Uchendu, who is the Deputy Speaker, Abia State House Of Assembly in a statement said the result declaration came to him as a shock after the Electoral Officer had addressed everyone on Saturday, the day of the election and pleaded with the people of Isiama Ward, Okamu Ward and other places where the election couldn’t hold to bear with the commission and exercise patience while the necessary arrangement are made to conduct the election.
According to him, INEC had declared the election inconclusive and at the same time, erroneously declared Mr. Ibe Okwara of the Labour Party winner of the election.
He said, “Furthermore, we were told that the election in the affected areas would then hold yesterday being Sunday February 26th between 8:00am and 12:Pm, the electorates all came out to vote but again, INEC failed to show up. They gave a new date which is today (Monday) for the election but yet again INEC failed to show up.
“Surprisingly this afternoon, INEC announced result of an inconclusive election and at the same time erroneously declared Mr. Ibe Okwara as the winner.
“The Electoral Commission carefully and systematically withheld its materials and thereby defranchizing about 50,000 eligible voters (including myself) in the 72 polling units where the election didn’t take place.
“This is pure injustice and totally unacceptable to us. We have therefore logged a petition at the INEC Office in Umuahia to that effect.
“Let me use this medium to thank all those who stood by us since the date of the election and at the same time plead with our supporters and well wishers to remain calm and law abiding even in the face of the injustice and provocative declaration by INEC.
“We are confident that the commission will conduct election in the affected areas and and at the same time hopeful that God will grant us victory in the end.”
