…PDP candidate, Ozigbo expresses displeasure with results already collated
ABUJA – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released timeline for voting in Ihiala Local Government Area for the conclusion the state governorship election.
INEC earlier announced suspension of collation of results of the election held on November 6 and said election in Ihiala LGA would hold on Tuesday, November 9. It said election could not hold in Ihiala on November 6 due to security concerns.
In a statement released on Monday, Festus Okoye, National Commissioner & Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, said the supplementary election in Ihiala would begin at 10am and end at 4pm on Tuesday.
The statement reads: “Following the suspension of collation of results in respect of the 2021 Anambra State Governorship election as announced yesterday, November 7, 2021 by the State Collation/Returning Officer and the decision of the Commission to hold election in Ihiala Local Government Area on Tuesday, November 9, the Commission in line with extant rules and regulations has made a slight adjustment to the commencement and closing time for the said election.
“Accordingly, polling in respect of the supplementary election for Ihiala Local Government will commence tomorrow at 10am and end at 4.pm.
“This decision, which will be strictly complied with, has been taken following a careful review of the prevailing situation in Anambra state and is being widely shared with the stakeholders including security agencies.
“We urge political parties, voters, election duty officials, election observers, the media and the general public to note this slight modification. We also appeal to citizens to conduct themselves in an orderly manner to ensure that the election is brought to a peaceful conclusion.”
In another development, PDP candidate in the election has rejected the results so far collated.
Mr. Valentine Ozigbo has distanced himself and his party from the results so far collated by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC.
Valentine Ozigbo addressing the press
Ozigbo who addressed a press conference late afternoon today Monday, said the exercise was marred by irregularities voter apathy, late arrival of election materials and malfunctioning of BVAS machine in most polling units.
He condemned money inducement and vote buying witnessed in the election, as well as intimidation of voters by suspected political thugs.
Ozigbo noted that denominational politics should be jettisoned, and urged the electorate to “focus on things not just to solve our basic problems but to catch-up with the rest of the world”.
He urged his supporters to be steadfast as the election was still winnable by the PDP, and that he was happy to be in the race.
