As the results of the state’s governorship election from last Saturday have been announced, Dr. Alex Otti appears poised to finally realise his dream of leading Abia.
The results were nevertheless announced amid accusations and denials of violations, particularly by the Collation Agents of the Labour Party (LP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Messrs. Acho Obioma and Charles Esonu, respectively.
Thugs have invaded our Obingwa Local Government Area office in Abia State, according to a tweet posted on Sunday afternoon by INEC’s headquarters.
“Security agencies have been alerted.
“The Commission is monitoring the situation and will issue a statement shortly.
But Abia State Returning Officer, Prof. Nnenna Oti, has announced results from 10 Local Government Areas (LGAs) at the heavily guarded state INEC Collation Centre in Umuahia before adjourning collation to Monday.
Otti who is the candidate of Labour Party in the election has polled 65,968 votes so far from the 10 local governments.
His closest rival and the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 53,042 votes.
The LGAs include Ukwa East: LP 2273; PDP 2329, Ukwa West: LP 2833; PDP 4622, Bende: LP 9886; PDP 3410, Isialangwa North: LP 7323; PDP 21,741.
Others are Isialangwa South: LP 7589; PDP 9093; Arochukwu: LP 12,689; PDP 1,280, Ugwunagbo: LP 2,153; PDP 2,538, Isuikwuato: LP 8228; PDP 2204, Ikwuano: LP 7054; PDP 2,427 and Umunneochi: LP 5940; PDP 3,198.
The state returning officer promised that all the results would be reviewed and determined against the backdrop of alleged infractions, including outbreak of violence, snatching of ballot boxes with the papers and manhandling of INEC officials in some LGAs, in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
Results from the remaining seven LGAs, including Obingwa, had yet to be brought to the Collation Centre at the time of adjournment.