The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disowned its Ad hoc staff, Innocent Ibeawuchi, who was the Returning Officer of last Saturday’s National Assembly election in Imo State and has confirmed Governor Rochas Okorocha as the senator-elect for Imo West District.
Ibeabuchi, after declaring Okorocha winner of the election, at the Orlu INEC Collation Centre, alleged shortly in another chat with the media in Owerri, the state capital, that he was made to declare the governor under duress.
But INEC, speaking through its Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Emmanuella Okwara, maintained that Ibeawuchi is on his own.
Okwara further pointed out that what transpired between Ibeabuchi and the governor is entirely his business, and advised him to make his report officially to the commission; if his claims were true.
She said: “What transpired between them is his business, but the only person we have cleared so far is governor Okorocha.”
Meanwhile, INEC has declared the Imo North senatorial district and House of Representatives elections inconclusive, following alleged irregularities that marred the election.
Elsewhere, the Returning Officer for Anambra South senatorial district, Prof. Meshach N. Umenweke has declared the election inconclusive.
Prof. Umenweke said he announced the result he had at the moment and declared the candidate of the Young Peoples Party (YPP), Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah, winner due to the volatile situation at the collation centre, which was a great threat to his life.
