Attahiru Jega, INEC Chairman
By Amby Uneze
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the weekend won the Imo State House of Assembly seat in Oguta Constituency, thereby bring to an end the lingering election since April 6, 2011.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Owerri in a statement signed by its Public Affairs Officer, Mr. Chinedu Onyeji, yesterday disclosed that Prince Eugene O. Dibiagwu of the PDP took the lead by scoring 15,338 to beat his closest rivalry, Walter Ikechukwu Uzonwanne of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), who scored a distance 3,401 votes.
The election which took place in only four wards out of a total of 11 wards, leaving seven wards according to the order of the Court of Appeal, a few weeks ago, saw the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate, Henry Igbomezie, coming third with 2,520 votes.
Onyeji’s statement signed on August 12, 2012, read in part: “The Independent National Electoral Commission wishes to inform the public that the court ordered supplementary election into the Oguta state House of Assembly constituency has been concluded and the PDP candidate, Dibiagwu Eugene O. was returned, having scored a total of 15,338 votes.
The full result stands as follows: Ugboma Frank Onyebuchi, (ANPP) 152; Clifford Okoronkwo (CPC) 47; Ebere Amadi (DFPF) 16; Loresha H. A. Nwosu (DPP) 31; Rev. Daniel Stephen (NTP) 18; and Obi Chris (SDMP) 8.”
Though the election was peaceful in the remaining four wards where election was cancelled by the INEC on April 6, 2011, but the Conference of National Political Parties (CNPP) said they had to boycott the election based on the fact that it was to be held in all the eleven wards in the local government area and not in four wards alone.
THISDAY could recall that this was a concluding election as the main election was held on April 6, 2011 where PDP led in the seven wards remaining four wards of Obudi/Aro Ward, Mgbala/Uba ward, Uwaorie ward and Ndeulukwu ward which were cancelled by INEC due to violence and logistics problem.
In his post election comment, Dibiagwu, said: “The people hold the power and they have spoken. It is a victory for democracy. I am ready to serve my people”.
Uzonwanne said they are not satisfied by that, adding that it would be challenged legally.