Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Senate Chief Whip and the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has been declared winner of Saturday’s senatorial election in Abia North.
The former Abia Governor scored a total of 30,805 votes to finish ahead of his closet rival, Nnamdi Iroh of the Labour Party, who polled 25,540 votes.
Senator Mao Ohuabunwa of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, got 15, 175 votes according to the results declared by the Returning Officer, Chinedu Nnamdi.
In a swift reaction, Ohuabunwa has rejected the result of the election, alleging it was doctored to favour the APC candidate.
Ohuabunwa contended that election did not hold in over 93 polling units in Arochukwu and Ohafia federal constituency alone, wondering how a winner could emerge when the exercise was yet to be concluded.
The former Leader, ECOWAS Parliament said that the Registration Areas where election did not hold were his strongholds.
He recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had already re-scheduled a fresh election in the affected polling units on Monday, before it was put on hold by the same INEC.
Ohuabunwa said there was no way a winner would emerge from the contest that was not yet over, and urged INEC to ensure that voters in the affected units are not disenfranchised.
The former Leader, ECOWAS Parliament, told INEC not to betray the confidence people reposed in the electoral umpire with the advent of the BVAS machines.
He identified some of the registration units where election did not hold last Saturday to include: Eleoha Ihechiowa, four units in Amuvi Arochukwu, three units nits in Amangwu Arochukwu, three units in Ohaeke Abam and other units in Ututu.
“In Ohafia LGA, we have 47 Units of Isiama, 27 of Okamu and 10 of Agboji Abriba Wards among others,” he regretted.
He appealed to his supporters and the people of Abia North to remain calm while developments were being closely monitored.
Senator Ohuabunwa said that nobody would be allowed to subvert the will of the people again in Abia North.
