PROTESTS AS ABIA RESIDENTS DEMAND RELEASE OF MARCH 18 GUBER RESULT

REPORTERS: PEACE AGBO & UZOMA NWANKWO

A group protesting at the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Umuahia is demanding for the declaration of the result of the March 18 Gubernatorial election by electoral body in Abia State.

Addressing journalists, the spokesperson of the group, Chief Ginger Onwusibe thanked INEC for the high level of deplomacy exhibited during the collation of results from various local government areas in the state.

The protesters, who claimed to be a peaceful group, told INEC not to use the peaceful disposition of Abia people for granted and pledged to be law abiding until the Commission ensured justice and fairness.

Responding to the group on behalf of INEC, the head Voter Education and Publicity (VEP), Mrs. Rebecca Jim, gave the protesters the assurance that INEC would thoroughly review every result to ensure that the wishes of the people were not truncated

Meanwhile, the continued delay in announcing the winner of the 2023 Governorship election in Abia State by INEC has become a major worry to residents of the state.

Radio Nigeria observed that most residents of the state for the past few days after the conclusion of voting have been waiting for the announcement of a winner to douse the tension in the area but were yet to receive the news from the appropriate quarters.

Speaking with Radio Nigeria on the development, a resident of Agbama Housing Estate, Umuahia, Dr. Kelechi Uma, advised the commission not to compromise its standard but to follow the new Electoral Act in declaring the winner, considering that a particular candidate was leading in the results from 16 local government councils already collated.

Another resident, Mrs. Mercy Otuonye, was of the opinion for the electoral umpire should ensure that the votes of Abia people counted as a true reflection of the election, urging it to jettison any form of manipulation and compromise.

Also, a civil servant, who pleaded anonymity, called on INEC not to play with the future of Abia people, pointing out that many residents were dependent on this election for a brighter future.

Recall that INEC had suspended the collation of Obingwa Local Government council results following alleged attacks by thugs during collation of results in the area on Sunday.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU

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