SAFAR 25 1431 A.H.
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2010.
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Anambra election results deceitful, unacceptable--AC
The Chairman, Action Congress (AC) in Anambra, Chief Ndubuisi Nwobu, said in Awka on Sunday that the just-concluded governorship election in which the incumbent governor Peter Obi retained the position did not reflect the wishes of the voters.
Nwobu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the results as declared by INEC were deceitful, because the electorate were largely disenfranchised from voting.
The chairman claimed that the party drew the attention of INEC to the irregularities before the election and were promised something would be done to correct the anomalies.
``They did not correct the anomalies. The hearts of the people bleed. They are unhappy that they are not allowed candidates of their choice by INEC.
``Out of 4,623 polling units in Anambra, INEC recorded zero registration in 520. Voters, who registered at several wards, could not find their names and therefore could not cast their votes.
``I say it is a deliberate ploy by INEC because; we identified this problem earlier, when they gave us CD roms to cross-check voters’ names.
``Based on the input from the wards, we identified and forwarded about 560 page incorrect data from the register and yet nothing was done.
``Again, in Anaocha our agents were beaten up and our leader who hails from the area, Dr Peter Ogbuka was sent on exile by APGA youths.
``In Onitsha South, our leaders were arrested in the morning, making it impossible to activate our followers. These are undemocratic acts that we laid at the door step of INEC.
Mr. Frank Igboka, state Chairman of People’s Progressive Party (PPA) also complained that his people were disenfranchised at their catchment areas.
Igboka said the results were unacceptable to them. stressing that the party would take decisive steps on the matter soon.
Mr. Chike Anyaonu, the Director of Operations of Soludo Campaign Organisation, noted that what he termed ``avoidable irregularities'' marred the polls.
He said the organisation was still studying the development and would respond appropriately.
In his reaction, the AC candidate, Dr Chris Ngige, who scored 60,240 votes to come second in the election, told the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) in Awka that the result was not a true reflection of the wishes of the people.
However, the Anambra Election Monitoring and Observation Board, described the election as a watershed and a landmark for future elections.
Its Chairman, Mr Ikeazor Akaraiwe, told newsmen that there was the need for INEC to make some corrections in its operations.
He stressed the need for the commission to provide adequate security for its electoral staff.
Akaraiwe also called on INEC to put in place its own transport system for moving sensitive election materials to polling booths.
