…No local government will be canceled, says source
All is set for the completion of the governorship elections in both Enugu and Abia States before the end of today, Friday, 22nd March, 2023.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, had on Monday, suspended the collation of election results in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State, while in Enugu State, the results of Nsukka and Nkanu East Council areas which have already been collated at the state collation centre were also put on hold by by INEC.
However, the electoral umpire on Wednesday, announced resumption of collation in both states after its meeting on Monday to review the conduct of the Governorship and state assembly elections held nationwide on Saturday, 18th March 2023.
“The Commission has concluded the review. Consequently, the collation of results for the Governorship election in both Abia and Enugu States will continue today 22nd March 2023.
“The Commission appreciates the patience and understanding of the people of both states as we conclude the collation processes,” Festus Okoye Esq, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee said in a statement issued on Wednesday 22nd March 2023.
However, a source who spoke to JOURNALIST101 on the outcome of the meeting, said there’s nothing that will stop the collation as all concerns by both the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party have been delt with.
The source who doesn’t want his name in print due the sensitivity of the subject matter, said the case of Enugu State is quite different from what’s obtainable in Abia State because the state collation has received the result in Enugu unlike in Abia State, where the collation has been completed at the ward and Local government levels alone.
Asked if there’s a possibility of cancelling any local government before return can be made today, the source said “nothing of such will happen.”
“In Enugu, the ship has sailed and collation has been completed at the state level. Non of the parties raised objections at the wards or local government collation centres. Though the issue was thoroughly debated during the meeting of the commission, I can assure you that nothing of such will happen.
“Also, the issue of over voting was summarily handled and it was established that nothing of such happened. I’m sure that before the end of today, a return will be made in Enugu and hopefully, in Abia State too,” the source said.
The delay in announcing the result of the March 18th poll has generated tension in the state as both supporters of the PDP and LP have besieged the Enugu office of INEC, seeking for justice.
The Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC and several other groups in the state, as well as the governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo have called for the release of the results so as to de-escalate tension in the state.
