Imo Governorship Candidates Stage Walkout at INEC Meeting

Less than a week before the Imo State governorship election, the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP), Senators Samuel Anyanwu and Athan Achonu, have staged a walkout at a stakeholders’ meeting organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The candidates registered their grievances with INEC, primarily calling for the redeployment of the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Professor Sylva Agu.

Stakeholders Meeting Turned Commotion:

Tuesday’s meeting was part of INEC’s preparations for the November 11 election, where the electoral body interacted with various stakeholders, including security agencies, the media, civil society organizations, and the gubernatorial candidates. INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu was represented by the National Commissioner representing the South-East, Kenneth Ukeagu.

The meeting took a tumultuous turn when Ukeagu ordered journalists to turn off their cameras and gadgets and leave the hall. This directive was met with fierce opposition by LP’s deputy governorship candidate, Mr. Tony Nwulu, and PDP’s representative, Jones Onyereri. Both candidates and opposition party officials argued that the press, as critical stakeholders, should not be excluded from the meeting.

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Allegations of Election Rigging and Fake Result Sheets:

Amid the commotion, Tony Nwulu alleged that INEC was planning to rig the election in favor of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), questioning the secrecy of the meeting. In support of this claim, Jones Onyereri presented copies of documents he described as fake result sheets posted on the INEC portal during a previous House of Assembly election in the state.

The disagreement between the opposition and ruling party officials led to a rowdy scene, with supporters from both sides exchanging insults and nearly escalating to physical confrontations.

Conclusion:

The walkout and commotion at the INEC stakeholders’ meeting in Imo State highlight the heightened tension and expectations surrounding the upcoming governorship election. The allegations of election rigging and the demand for greater transparency underscore the significance of conducting a free and fair electoral process in the state. As the election date approaches, both candidates and the electoral body face the challenge of ensuring a peaceful and credible outcome.