NWIFURU COMMENDS EBONYI SENATORIAL BYE ELECTION, AS OPPOSITION ALLEGE MALPRACTICE …

REPORTER: AMECHI ODO

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) for the smooth conduct of Ebonyi South Senatorial Bye-election.

Fielding questions from journalists shortly after monitoring the election, Governor Nwifuru applauded the electoral umpire for timely commencement of the exercise and urged them to ensure that the votes of the people counted.

The Governor maintained that as Chief Security Officer of the State, he was in the zone to monitor the exercise and thanked security agencies for maintaining law and order across the zone during the exercise.

He also lauded the people for conducting themselves properly before, during and after voting.

Also, the Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, told journalists that with the level of infrastructural and human capacity development already rolled out by Governor Nwifuru’s administration, he was confident that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would receive the necessary support.

Meanwhile, there was low turnout of voters at Eke Market Afikpo with one of them, Mrs. Margaret Inya, alleging that some armed men in military camouflage stormed the polling booth and arrested her husband, Kenneth Inya.

She narrated that she was not aware of any offence committed by the husband to have warranted the arrest.

The Candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Mr. Ifeanyi Eleje, who said he voted in his polling booth, Ezigwute Oziza, described the exercise as flawed.

He alleged that there was massive vote buying and intimidation of voters in many polling unit in Afikpo and called for the release of his supporter, who was tortured and carried away by security personnel.

However, the Chairman of the APC in Ebonyi State, Chief Stanley Okoroemegha, observed that the exercise was free and fair, claiming that allegations of vote buying and intimidation were unfounded.

Chief Emegha, who spoke to journalists at Nguzu Edda, commended INEC for conducting a seamless poll.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU