During last Saturday’s election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) won 25 out of 27 state assembly seats in Imo state. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the results, stating that the poll was declared inconclusive in the Ahaizu Mbaise state constituency while the outcome of the election in the Isu Local Government Area was pending. The statement revealed that APC candidates, including Eddy Obinna, won in Aboh Mbaise, while Dominic Ezeriorah won in Oru West and Ebonine Ozioma won in Njaba state Constituency.
Reacting to the party’s victory, the state’s APC Publicity Secretary, Mr Duke Cajetan, said that Saturday’s election was a vote of implicit confidence in Governor Hope Uzodimma by the people. He stated that the victory was overwhelming and that the Imo people have reciprocated the good gestures of Governor Uzodimma for the phenomenal infrastructural development in the state. He added that the people have used their votes to thank the governor for his work.
However, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) called for the cancellation of the exercise, alleging massive rigging by the APC in collaboration with INEC. In a statement signed by the state PDP’s Spokesman, Mr Collins Opurozor, on Monday, the party said that PDP agents were beaten and arrested in collation centres. He added that the armed thugs, security agents and Ebubeagu militiamen led by APC stalwarts stormed the venue in the middle of the night, attacked PDP party agents and took away the INEC officials with election materials.
The APC candidates who won the election include Duru Iheonukara, Ideato South; Chisom Ojukwu, Nkeerre; Chike Olemgbe, Ihitte Uboma; Reginald Neaneri, Oru East; Ambrose Egu, Ngor Okpala; Kanayo Onyemachi, Owerri West; Chinemetem Agbaso, Ezinihitte; Gilbert Nwosu, Oguta; and Okechukeu Udeze, Ideato North, among others.