The Governorship Candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Imo State, Senator Athan Achonu, has vehemently rejected the results of Saturday’s gubernatorial election.
Speaking at his Umulomo country home in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area on Sunday, Achonu claimed that the election was “marred by irregularities, including vote buying and physical assaults of LP agents, and thus deserving of outright cancellation.”
He accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of failing to ensure BVAS accreditation at many voting locations, contrary to pre-election assurances.
Achonu further alleged compromise on the part of security personnel, stating that “recorded evidences abound, such as that of a police officer who was beaten by voters for attempting to snatch a ballot box.”
He praised the resilience of LP supporters in the face of provocation and assured them that justice would be sought through the courts.
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He criticized the conduct of the election, stating, “Our democracy was raped in the full glare of security personnel, whose salaries we pay from our commonwealth.”
“Our democracy was raped in the full glare of security personnel, whose salaries we pay from our commonwealth.
“Collation was suddenly moved from the ward to LG centres, and only APC agents were allowed to enter, while agents of other parties were locked out.
“And to you my supporters, thank you for your doggedness and steadfastness, you fought hard and I am proud of you all.
Expressing confidence in the judiciary, Achonu emphasized, “I have not lost hope in the judiciary, there are so many men of integrity therein, and we shall reclaim our mandate.”
He also condemned the assault and detention of the LP Chairman in Imo, Mr Callistus Ihejiagwa, at the state collation centre, and called for the immediate arrest of those who manhandled him.
“My party chairman was beaten up at the collation centre, as it is evident in a widely circulated video.
“And instead of arresting those who beat him, the police arrested and detained him.
“Let’s save the drift into anarchy, let’s save our country and her democracy.
“There was no election yesterday, and we call on the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to cancel the purported results,“ Achonu concluded.