IMO SUPPLEMENTARY ELECTION: TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, DON’T USE ADHOC STAFF— LP CANDIDATE TELLS INEC

REPORTER: CHINAZO ILECHUKWU

The House of Representatives Candidate of the Labour Party (LP) for Mbaitoli-Ikeduru Federal Constituency election in Imo State, Chief Uche Ogbuagu, wants the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deploy only unbiased staff of the commission from Abuja to conduct this Saturday’s supplementary election.

The election is scheduled to hold in 58 polling units in the constituency.

Addressing a news conference at his residence in Akabo Ikeduru Local Government Area of the state, Chief Ogbuagu also called on INEC not to engage any ad hoc staff, rather, they should make use of its staff for the areas where election will hold.

This is to enable the people to hold the Commission accountable.

The LP candidate raised an alarm over alleged threats to his life and arming of thugs in the constituency by desperate politicians to subvert the will of the electorate.

He called on heads of security agencies to take steps towards averting a repeat of last election where opposition parties were allegedly intimidated using non-state actors in fake military uniforms.

Chief Ogbuagu, who represents Ikeduru constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly, lamented that Mbaitoli-Ikeduru, which used to be peaceful had turned into a war zone as a result of political ambition.

The House of Reps candidate warned that the people had vowed to resist any form of voter intimidation during April 15 election.

Chief Ogbuagu said the conduct of March 18 house of assembly election in the state fell short of the expectations of the people and appealed to INEC to ensure that this Saturday’s supplementary election would reflect the will of the constituents.

Supplementary elections will also be conducted for Ahiazu mbaise and Ideato south seats in the Imo State House of Assembly.  

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU