Three aspirants for the Okpohsi Ward 1 councillorship position on the All Progressives Congress platform have called for the cancellation of the primary election held on Friday, citing gross irregularities, intimidation, and crises.
Igwe Frank Arinze, Ali Uchenna Ugadu, and Agbo Sunday Agbo alleged that the election was characterized by an attempt to impose a candidate on the people.
They petitioned Governor Francis Nwifuru, copying the APC State Chairman, Stanley Okoro Emegha, and the Chairman of the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission, Barrister Josy Eze, according to Daily Post.
The aspirants claimed that the electoral officer, Friday Onwe, and his team conspired to cause crises during the election, aiding and abetting electoral fraud.
They alleged that their votes were not counted, despite their pleas to the electoral officer. Instead, Onwe declared that he was instructed to only count the incumbent councillor’s supporters.
The trio urged the authorities to take appropriate action to avert further escalation and ensure a free and fair election.
“Consequent upon the above, we cry unto the peace-minded Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Bldr. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, the Chairman of Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission , and the State Chairman of our great party to intervene in this matter to avert further escalation of the crises.
“We condemn in its entirety the heinous act meted out to the unsuspecting electorate and request that the result be declared in favor of Igwe Frank Arinze, who had the longest line, or alternatively cancel the election and fix another date and venue for a credible election.
“We reassure the party of our unflinching commitment to the survival and success of APC in the state,” they added.
