15th March, 2012
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the PDP candidate the winner of the re-run election for Ezza South constituency in Ebonyi House of Assembly held on Wednesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that election for the seat alongside those of Ohaukwu South and Ishielu North constituencies were nullified by the Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu in January.
The elections were nullified because of massive irregularities and non-substantial compliance with the Electoral Act and a re-run was ordered by the court within 90 days.
Dr. Emeka Nwakpu, the INEC returning officer for the election, announced on Thursday that the election was free, fair and devoid of violence.
“Mr. Chris Usulor of the PDP polled a total of 19, 488 votes to emerge victorious, while Mr. Friday Agbom of the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) trailed with 2, 180 votes.
“The total number of registered voters in the area was 59, 751, total valid votes (22,041), rejected votes (683), while the total number of votes cast was 22, 724,” he said.
He said that other parties, who participated in the election included: Congress for Progressive Change (119) votes, Progressive Peoples Alliance (97) votes, All Progressive Grand Alliance (86) votes, and Action Congress of Nigeria ( 71) votes.
NAN, however, reports that three people were wounded at Inyimegu ward of Ezza South Local Government Area during the election. Retired Lt.- Col. Fidelis Uwa, the Coordinator of Ezza East Development Centre, alleged that the clash was caused by ANPP supporters.
“Those wounded included one Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and two ANPP supporters.
“Supporters of my party (PDP) vehemently resisted their plans to cause confusion, which led to the clash between both parties’ supporters.
“Security agencies quickly brought the situation under control but the situation led to most voters leaving the polling unit for fear of being attacked,” Uwa said.
However, Agbom, the ANPP flag-bearer in the election, denied the allegation and accused the PDP of causing the problem by trying to rig the election.
“The PDP agents and supporters under the instructions of Uwah and in collaboration with electoral officers, carted away ballot boxes and engaged in multiple thumb-printing.
“Our supporters resisted the action which led to the clashes as Mr. Chike Onwe, state Commissioner for Information, had boasted that the PDP will win the election at all cost,” he said.
Onwe in his reaction denied any complicity during the election, insisting that the people massively voted for PDP as they were impressed with the party’s impressive performance in governing the state.
NAN reports that PDP candidates, Mrs. Mabel Aleke and Mr. Ikechukwu Ogbu, had won the re-run elections for the Ohaukwu South and Ishielu North constituencies held on Saturday.