The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Imo State chapter has rejected the outcome of the presidential election in the state.
The party made the disclosure while addressing newsmen during a protest at the state headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Owerri yesterday.
State Chairman, Engr Charles Ugwu said they were shocked at the attempts of the ruling All Progressive Congress to manipulate the election results in favour of the APC.
Ugwu regretted that during the state assembly elections on Saturday, the Imo state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof Sylvia Agu in connivance with INEC staff, manipulated the election results.
According to him, in Okigwe local government area, elections did not hold in seven (7) electoral wards namely, Ihube, Agbobu, Ndimoko Ofeimo/Ibinta/Okanachi/Umuowa Ibu, Aku, Umulolo, Ogii and Amuro Wards, but over forty thousand (40,000) votes were fraudulently manufactured and credited to APC which recorded less than three thousand (3,000) authentic votes from the other four (4) wards where elections actually took place.
Ugwu said “We are also made to understand that you actually handed over the election materials for several areas to APC agents of Governor Hope Uzodinma, to write results in APC’s favour. As it stands, results were conjured for areas where elections did not take place, and ‘collated’ to favour APC, and sadly, Imo State INEC under your watch accepted, and announced them as authentic results.
“A very high standard of honesty and integrity is expected of your person, as a Professor of one of Nigeria’s foremost citadels of learning. But unfortunately, your role in the last election has brought opprobrium to the integrity and reputation of the entire academia”, the protest letter read.
The former Minister warned the REC that ahead of the state assembly elections on Saturday, the party will resist any attempt to undermine the process.
Ugwu said “we are hereby serving notice to you, members of your staff, and any other interested persons that we shall no longer condone any form of manipulation, or any other acts capable of undermining the corporate will of the people, and the integrity of our electoral system. We expect a more professional approach from your Commission in the forthcoming House of Assembly elections billed for Saturday 18th March, 2023. The people shall resist any act by your Commission or by any other persons, intended to subvert their popular preferences.”
The party called on INEC to ensure Saturday’s election “is conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Law, INEC’s guidelines, and within the ambits of transparency and procedural fairness. We are confident that you shall give a prompt and positive attention to our request and presentation in the interest of justice, equity and peace”.
Those in attendance include the Vice Chairman, Chief Martin Ejiogu; Chief Ray Emeana, Mrs May Ugwu, Chief Chuma Nnaji, Prof Obioma Iheduru, Chief Okewulonu, chief Bonny Ebili, and several others.
