LP rejects INEC’s Imo guber election result, heads for court
The governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Imo State, Sen. Athan Achonu, is heading to court over the result of Saturday’s electlon.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had declared the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and incumbent Governor Hope Uzodinma, elected after it said he scored the highest number of votes.
Achonu, however, said on Sunday, while addressing newsmen in his Umulomo courtry home in Ehime Mbano Local
Government Area of the state that the election was fraudulent.
He said the election was marred by irregularities, including vote buying and physical assaults of LP agents,
and thus deserving of outright canceliation”.
He explained that voting in many locations was done without BVAS accreditation, contrary to the assurances
by INEC before the election.
Achonu also alleged compromise on the part of security personnel, adding that “recorded evidence abound, such
as that of a police officer who was beaten by voters for attermpting to snatch a ballot box.”
He commended LP supporters for their steadfastness in the face of provocation and assured them that they would
get justice through the courts
“Our democracy was raped in the full glare of security personnel, whose salaries we pay from our commonwealth.
“Collation was suddenly moved from the ward 1o LG Centres, and only APC agents were allowed o enter, while agents of other parties were locked out.
“And to you my supporters, thank you for your doggedness and steadfastness, you fought hard and I am proud of
you all. We have not lost hope in the judiciary, there are so many men of integrity therein, and we shall reclaim our mandate,” Achonu said.
He condemned the assault and detention of the LP Chairman in Imo State, Mr Callistus Ihejiagwa, at the state collation
centre, and called for the immediate arrest of those who manhandled him.
“My party chairrnan was beaten up at the collation centre, as seen in a widely circulated video.
“And instead of arresting those who beat him, the police arrested and detained him. Let’s save the drift into anarchy, let’s save our country and her democracy.
“There was no election yesterday and we call on the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to cancel the
purported results,” Achonu said.