Francis Ezeonu, resident
electoral officer (REC) of Imo state, has described politicians as the greatest
threat to democracy.
Speaking during the collation of
the governorship election, Ezeonu said there were several hiccups which
resulted in “unnecessary delay” of final result.
“Politicians are the greatest
threat to democracy,” he said narrating how some supervising presiding officers
(SPOs) from the Federal University of Technology (FUTO), Owerri, were “hijacked
by politicians”.
He said other SPOs were
“strong-armed” to sell their appointments letters to politicians.
The REC said all SPOs found
culpable were dismissed while new ones were appointed from Federal University
of Agriculture, Umudike, in a bid to organise successful collation at ward
level.
He noted that there were several
cases of violence and malpractice across
different local government areas (LGAs) in the state.
Citing examples, Ezeonu said
violence was recorded at Ngor Okpuala, Ideato north and Ideato south LGA, where
Rochas Okorocha, the state governor, is from.
He disclosed that the electoral
officers of Ideato north and south were held hostage.
Based on the reports, the REC
said several results had been cancelled from polling units in Nkwerre LGA,
where Uche Nwosu, Okorocha’s son-in-law, is from.
He said results from Isiala Mbano
LGA were also cancelled as hoodlums attacked adhoc staff and destroyed
electoral materials.
Ezeonu, however, confirmed that
some fake policemen who had been hired to “disrupt” the election had been
arrested.
Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) was declared winner of the election.
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