APC win in Owerri West re-run, others inconclusive

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has declared as “inclusive”, the Okigwe senatorial zone re-run election, while the ALl Progressives Congress, APC, candidate for Owerri West assembly seat won the electoral contest.

Also declared inconclusive was the result of the state assembly seats for Oru East and Isiala Mbano local council areas of the state.

Vanguard gathered that the Oru East state assembly re-run election had to be declared inconclusive because of the shoot out at Okata and Amiri communities in Oru East, between supporters of the rival parties midway into the election.

Similarly, there were some reported skirmishes in some voting centres in Okigwe and Onuimo local government areas, where the re-run poll took place.

The INEC Returning Officer, Professor Arinze Agbogu, who announced this yesterday, while addressing the press, however said that the candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr. Benjamin Uwajumogu, had already scored a total of 48,921 votes, to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, flag bearer, Chief Athan Achonu grabbed 40,142 votes.

The Returning Officer equally announced that a new date would be announced for the re-run poll in the 15 identified polling booths, where about 13,000 registered voters would be expected to eventually cast their votes.

Vanguard recalls that as at 12.43pm Saturday, when the initial report was filed from Osu Achara Ward, Isiala Mbano local government area, there was no recorded incident of violence.

When contacted on his mobile line, the Commissioner of Police, CP, Mr. Taiwo Lakanu, who temporarily moved his Command’s Headquarters to Okigwe, confirmed that “there has been no reported case of violence anywhere in the affected areas”.

While saying that he has his men are on red alert, the Imo police boss also said that the Command was ready to tackle any eventuality, wherever and whenever it reared its ugly head.

“There is no recorded violence in any of the areas where the re-run election is taking place. Our men are everywhere and ready to promptly tackle any incident, whenever and wherever it rears its ugly head”, the CP said.

As at the time of going to press, voting had smoothly commenced in the polling units visited.