...As INEC conducts supplementary elections in 76PUs across 7LGAs in Ebonyi
The Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) has conducted supplementary elections in different parts of Ebonyi State where there were cancellations as a result of ballot box snatching and violence during the February 25 and March 18 polls.
The supplementary election was held simultaneously in the 76 polling units under seven local government areas of Ebonyi State.
On a visit to Ebonyi North Constituency where the election was taking place in Azumini/Azugwu Ward 4, EBSU Guest House 2, polling unit 005; EBSU Primary School 2, polling unit 011, and polling unit 010; elections were going on smoothly and peacefully as many people turned out en mass to cast their votes.
Earlier, the PDP candidate for Abakaliki North Constituency, Mr Victor Chidi Nwoke alleged that the election was marred with vote buying as many voters are highly induced with money and other material things to vote for APC.
He said, “What they are doing here is not good, Governor Umahi’s people are busy inducing the electorate with money (N10,000) so that they will vote for them. I want this election to be cancelled and declare the one done already.
However, as the election continued under tight security, the outcome suddenly changed in favour of the PDP candidate who has later declared the winner of the House of Assembly supplementary election.
Mr Nwoke Victor Chidi scored a total of 5,988 to defeat his closest rival in APC, Umahi Maxwell who scored 5,664.
Mr Nwoke appreciated INEC for conducting a credible election despite the challenges witnessed earlier, pledging to represent the overall interest of Abakaliki North Constituency by adding value to their lives and carrying everybody along.
On his part, one of the stakeholders in the area, Hon. Chidi Aloh further applauded the efforts of INEC in ensuring that the will of the people prevailed by conducting a transparent election.
“I thank God for everything because the election was successful, everybody here is happy with the way the election is moving smoothly. We believe that God is already in control,” he said.
On the issue of vote buying, Hon. Allah said, “There is nothing like that; everybody is free to vote for the candidate of his choice. Many observers are here who witnessed everything, something like that didn’t happen here.”
He also enjoined the candidate who won the election to see others as brothers, saying that whosoever emerges as the winner should do everything possible to embrace others that couldn’t make it with the spirit of sportsmanship.
In Afikpo North West, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Kingsley Ogbonnia Ikolo of APC scored 5,512 to defeat Mr Ogbonnia Oko of PDP.
Reacting to the allegations from some candidates over irregularities, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ebonyi State, Mrs Onyekachi Paulin Ugochi said that the election was peaceful as there was no report of violence of any kind.
She also debunked the allegation of inducing the electorate with money, saying that she is not aware of it, and if there is, security agents, should do the needful.
Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, CP Faleye Olaleye noted that the whole process was peaceful since there is no record of ballot box snatching, violence and breakdown of law and order.
It would be recalled that a few days ago, the CP ordered the restriction of all vehicular movements on the road from midnight on Friday, 14th April 2023 in line with the directive of the Inspector General of Police.
“The Commissioner of Police Ebonyi State Police Command CP Faleye S. Olaleye, in line with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, has ordered the restriction of all vehicular movement on the roads from midnight on Friday 14/04/2023 to 6 pm on 15/04/2023 (election day) across all the seven (7) Local Government Areas of the State comprising of Abakaliki, Afikpo North, Afikpo South, Ezza North, Ezza South, Ikwo and Ivo where there will be supplementary Elections, with exception of those on essential services such as election observers, accredited media, ambulances, firefighters, etc.”
All efforts made to get the reaction of the APC candidate for Abakaliki North House of Assembly, Mr Maxwel Umahi proved abortive as he declined to comment.
