The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State has expressed concern over delay in the collation of Imo governorship election results by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
This comes as the party has insisted that its candidate for the March 9 election and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, is already coasting home to victory.
In a statement on Sunday by Ray Emeana, Imo State PDP Secretary, the party raised the alarm that the incumbent governor, Rochas Okorocha has invaded collation centres in Ideato South Local Government Area, and accused his son-in-law and governorship candidate for Action Alliance (AA), Uche Nwosu of also invading Isu LGA.
“Attempts to change the announced results of Obowo LGA is currently being resisted by the people and sporadic gun shots are on-going,” the statement noted.
Emeana also accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate, Hope Uzodinma, of “writing results and thumb-printing ballot papers at Oxygen Hotels and Resorts at New Owerri”.
According to him, out of results collated from 18 council areas so far, PDP is leading in 15 local government areas.
He listed the areas to include: Ideato North, Oru West, Obowo, Mbaitoli, Owerri West, Owerri North, Ikeduru, Owerri Munucipal, Ngor Okpala, Ahiazu Mbaise, Aboh Mbaise, Ezinihitte, Oguta and Orsu.
“We wish to alert the security agencies, INEC, Election observers Imolites and Nigerians in general, of a deliberate delay of the announcement, even when collation has been concluded in about 20 LGAs. There is no reason collation, announcement of results and declaration of Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha as the winner of the governorship election should tarry till this moment.
“We call on security agencies to move in quickly at these locations mentioned and arrest the culprits and bring them to justice. INEC should under no circumstances accept any results from Senator Uzodinma or any unverified, duly collated results.
“INEC and the security agencies must realize that Nigerians are keenly watching and monitoring every move and development in this exercise and anything short of credible results, will jeopardize the entire exercise and escalate into a full blown civil unrest.
“From available records and statistics, it is not disputed that our governorship candidate, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha is the most acceptable, popular, experienced, with overwhelming goodwill and grassroots appeal. It is important to note for emphasis that he is the only candidate that emerged through free, fair, transparent and credible primaries,” the statement reads.
The PDP stalwart therefore called on the electoral body to immediately declare Ihedioha winner of the election.
OWEDE AGBAJILEKE, Abuja
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