Imo Women Protest, Demand Release of CTC Result

Hundreds of Imo women yesterday stormed the state headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to protest the continued delay of the release of the certified true copies (CTC) of the November 11 governorship election in the state.

Clad in black attires with placards, the women drawn from the three senatorial zones, lamented that the CTC delay had caused untold hardship on them and other Imo people.

They were led by three women, each in charge of Owerri, Okigwe, and Orlu zones of the state.

Leader of Okigwe senatorial zone, Akudona Chukwu, told LEADERSHIP Friday that they were not happy with the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof Sylvia Agu, over the alleged refusal of commission to release gubernatorial election results held on November 11.

Chukwu said “We are not happy with the REC. We can’t wait any longer again for the release of the results. She’s a mother, let her behave like one. No mother watches her children and husband suffering. We have come here to tell the world that we are not happy with hunger, the insecurity, and everything in Imo state. Let her release the result. We need peace in Imo state, she should release the result and let peace reign. 

“We are not comfortable with what is happening in Imo state. Our husbands, our children are not happy with the delay. Let her release the result for peace to reign, if she sees her husband or children suffering this way, I don’t think she will like it”.  

On her part, Dorathy Ogazi said “Imo women have sent us to beg Prof Agu for fairness and equity to prevail, she should please release the result of the last November election. For us as Imo women, it is very important for us and our children, the masses are suffering.

“Prof Sylvia Agu should release the CTC so that other parties can inspect it. She should allow them for peace to reign in the state”, Ogazi said.

However, no official came out to address the protesters.

It will be recalled that there had been repeated demands by the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party for the release of the CTC for inspection and to enable them build their case before the election petition tribunal.