Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Senator Mao Ohuabunwa has called for a thorough investigation over the weighty allegations raised by the Abia State Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Professor Ike Uzochukwu.
This is as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, senatorial candidate has insisted on the cancellation of the February 25 senatorial contest in the zone, alleging unprecedented irregularities.
The former Leader, ECOWAS Parliament, who expressed shock at the startling revelations by the REC over his ‘mysterious’ abduction by security agencies hours after the presidential and national assembly elections, said the issues raised should not be swept under the carpet.
Senator Ohuabunwa argued that the declaration by the REC that the poll results were collated in his absence and without compliance with the Electoral Act, only confirmed his earlier protest that the poll especially in Abia North senatorial zone was rigged.
Ohuabunwa said it was curious to abduct or illegally detain the highest electoral officer in a state like REC while collation of poll results was going on.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, senatorial candidate for Abia North, challenged both INEC and security agencies to unravel the person(s) behind the act, as well as their motives.
He also challenged those who arrested the REC to make public what offense(s) he committed to warrant his alleged arrest.
Senator Ohuabunwa said that the people of Abia North whose votes were stolen after exercising their ballots on February 25 “deserve to know what is fishing out.”
He also called on Civil Society groups to rise to the occasion, insisting that any form of manipulation against the will of voters should be resisted.
The former Leader, ECOWAS Parliament, challenged INEC to redeem its image and restore public confidence in the commission by conducting a fresh election in Abia North.
There have been protests against the outcome of the Abia North senatorial poll as INEC was accused of hastily declaring Senator Orji Uzor Kalu of the All Progressives Congress, APC, winner without waiting for the results of the re-scheduled election in over 90 polling units which has over 50,000 registered voters where election did not hold.
