Politics

Ihedioha wins Imo gov elections

Published

6 years ago

March 12, 2019

The Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Emeka Ihedioha , has emerged the Imo State governor – elect .He polled 273, 404 votes to defeat 69 other candidates including his closest rival , Uche Nwosu of Action Alliance who scored 190, 364 votes .

Announcing the results at the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Owerri at exactly 10 . 08 pm on Monday , the state returning officer, Prof . Francis Otunta , said the All Progressives Grand Alliance candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Ararume , polled 114, 676 followed by the All Progressives Congress candidate, Senator Hope Uzodimma , who scored 96 , 458 votes .

The Accord Party candidate, Ikedi Ohakim secured 6 , 864 votes .

He said , “ We have been working since Saturday to elect a credible governor for Imo State . The total registered voters is 2 , 221 , 008; Accredited voters is 823, 743.

“ The total votes cast is 714, 35 ; rejected votes 25 , 130; total valid votes is 739, 485. ”

Declaring Ihedioha the winner of the polls , the returning officer said , “ I, Francis Otunta , hereby certify that I am the returning officer for the Imo state elections . That the election was contested and the candidates received the following votes .

“ Ihedioha Emeka of PDP , having satisfied the constitutional requirements , is hereby declared the winner . ”

The PDP supporters burst out in wild celebrations as they sang and danced out of the hall .

Before the development , tension had heightened in the hall following the delay in the declaration of the election winner with fatigued party agents harassing the returning officers and his assistants .

The situation almost got out of hand when a state official was seen speaking with some of the electoral officers .
Angry party agents rallied against him , questioning the propriety of his action .

After the declaration of the winner , the agents signed the original result sheets .

But the AA governorship candidate rejected the results , insisting that there ought to be a rerun “ because the PDP did not meet the constitutional requirements . ”