Imo State Governorship Election Faces Calls for Cancellation by Labour Party and Peoples Democratic Party
In a joint effort, the Labour Party (LP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are demanding the annulment of the Imo State governorship election conducted last Saturday.
Tony Nwulu, the deputy governorship candidate of the LP, asserted during a press conference on Saturday night that the election process was marred by security agents allegedly providing cover for individuals undermining the democratic will of the people.
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Nwulu contended that the LP emerged victorious based on the genuine votes cast in the election. He raised concerns about the state of democracy, stating, “Democracy is under threat in this state.” According to Nwulu, there was no genuine election in Imo State on Saturday, accusing the security forces of aiding in the subversion of the electoral process.
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“There was no election in Imo State on Saturday. What happened was the diversion of electoral materials to homes and local government council headquarters. In all this, the police, Army, and the DSS provided security to the actors,” Nwulu declared.
He further alleged attempts at votes buying at polling units, which were rejected by the Imo people. In response, the perpetrators resorted to snatching electoral materials and diverting them to individuals’ homes and LGA headquarters, where results are purportedly being manipulated. Nwulu concluded by putting Nigerians on notice and emphasising the urgency of canceling what he termed a “sham” election.
In a separate press conference, Samuel Anyanwu, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, echoed the call for the cancellation of the election. Anyanwu accused INEC and security agents of failing in their constitutional responsibility to ensure a credible electoral process. He alleged that security agents protected INEC staff while members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) rewrote the election results.
Anyanwu, representing the PDP, adamantly insisted that anything less than a total cancellation of the poll would be unacceptable.
The joint demand from the LP and PDP adds pressure on electoral authorities to thoroughly review the reported irregularities and take appropriate action to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process in Imo State.
