Labour party
Imo Lp members protest over result. Members of the Imo State Labour Party protested at the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Owerri, the state capital, on Monday over the claimed delay in issuing the Certified True Copy result of the state’s just ended governorship election.
Calistus Ihejiagwa, the state chairman of the LP, who led the disgruntled members, accused INEC of attempting to prevent the party from contesting the election results.
Members who sang solidarity songs held signs with messages such as ‘INEC is meant to be neutral,’ ‘INEC, justice delayed is justice denied,’ ‘INEC, release CTC,’ and ‘INEC should be independent,’ among others.
Speaking to journalists, the LP chairman said the result as declared by INEC was not a true reflection of what transpired at the polling units.
Ihejiagwa, who was in a wheelchair, said that INEC and security officials conspired with members of the All Progressives Congress to sabotage the poll.
He stated that his party was prepared to dispute the election results in court, but that INEC staff members were reportedly using delay tactics to hinder the party.
“The first time I came here was on the evening of November 11,” he explained. I was hale, hearty, and powerful, and I arrived on two legs.
“But I was beaten mercilessly and thrown outside from inside the collation room in the presence of the state Commissioner of Police, two federal commissioners of INEC, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof Sylvia Agu, heads of security chiefs in the state by thugs because I demanded that the right thing should be done.
“Today, I am back in a wheelchair, recovering from the severe assault by APC thugs on the evening of November 11, which had affected my spinal cord, demanding from INEC the certified true copy of the fake results they used in declaring Hope Uzodimma, and they have refused nine days later.”
“The Independent National Electoral Commission’s National Chairman, Prof Mahmoud Yakubu, the National Commissioner for the South East, Ken Ukaogu, and the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof Sylvia Agu, have refused to release the CTC after nine days.”
“They mocked the Labour Party inside the collation hall by suggesting that we go to court.” Prof Abayomi Fasina, the Returning Officer, had told us flatly that we had to go to court. We applied for the CTC so that we could go to court, but INEC is delaying on purpose to frustrate us.
“We have come here this afternoon so that the entire world will hear our voice that INEC is frustrating us.”
In response, INEC’s Head of Voter Education and Logistics, Emmanuelle Opara, stated that the commission has previously acknowledged receipt of the party’s application for the CTC.
“INEC has already acknowledged receipt of the party’s application for the certified true copy of the governorship election and will be processing it,” she said.
“The results are being assembled and will be costed and, when it is ready, you will be notified and when you pay, it will be given to you”