Protests broke out in some parts of Asaba, Delta State and Owerri, Imo State over Tuesday’s governorship elections.
While in Asaba, more than 5,000 supporters of Democratic Peoples Party candidate, Great Ogboru took to the streets protesting the declaration of incumbent Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan as winner, youths in Owerri demanded the release of the results of the poll in the state.
The Independent National Electoral Commission had on Tuesday suspended the announcement of the governorship election on the grounds that it was inconclusive.
In Asaba, the supporters of Ogboru, who came second in the poll, alleged that INEC manipulated the results in favour of the incumbent governor.
Uduaghan of the Peoples Democratic scored 525,793 against Ogboru’s 433,834 and Action Congress of Nigeria’s candidate, Ovie Omo-Agege’s 15,526.
But shortly after INEC Returning Officer in the state, Prof Abhulimhen Anao, announced the result, more Ogboru’s supporters hit the streeets to protest the results.
They distrupted both commercial and social activities in Asaba for several hours. Traders were seen shutting down their stalls while business premises were securely locked by workers to avoid looting.
But no life was lost and no injuries were recorded during the protest which was well controlled by policemen.
Our correspondent in the state gathered that the protest started around the popular Ogbogonogo Market and then spread to some major streets in the city.
Ogboru later arrived at the scene in a convoy of four jeeps and about 10 buses to address the protesters.
Our correspondent also saw him making frantic calls to the leaders of his supporters in Warri to ensure that protest did not also break out in the volatile oil-rich city.
Thursday’s verdict marked the third in about four years that Ogboru would lose governorship elections in the state.
The PDP also cleared most of the house of assembly seats in the state while a few were said to be inconclusive.
The DPP Chief Agent in the state, Mr. Fred Olokor, had after the announcement of the results refused to sign the result sheet.
Alleging that massive fraud was perpetrated during the poll, he said that the DPP would again challenge the results at the tribunal.
Reacting to his victory and protest, Uduaghan urged those who were dissatisfied with the outcome of the poll to approach the election tribunal.
He said, “I thank God and Deltans for this victory. And for those who did not support me during the election, I have listened to you and I know all the issues you have raised.
“But it is not right for our young people to be exposed to this kind of violence (protest) at this time. Everyone who feels dissatisfied with the results should go to the election tribunal.’’
In Owerri, aggrieved youths, who had besieged the INEC office, heightened tension in the city when they took to the streets calling for the immediate release of the governorship poll.
The youths, and a few elderly protesters, carried placards and chanted songs of freedom as they patrolled major roads such as Owerri-Port Harcourt, House of Assembly , World Bank, among others. Some of their placards read “Rochas is the man we want,”, “we need a change in Imo” and “Declare Rochas Okorocha the winner.”
As they moved round parts of the city with armed soldiers and riot policemen ensuring that they did not resort to violence, they threatened to burn down INEC office if the candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, was not declared the winner of the election.
Four vehicles, including an FG marked Toyota Hiace, were also damaged. It was gathered that many government officials no longer move around in their sport utility vehicles to avoid being attacked by the aggrieved youths.
INEC has, however, appealed for patience over the Imo governorship election, saying it would meet today to take a final decision over the deadlock.
The commission said it had consulted with its lawyers for advice on the next line of action following difficulties experienced during the conduct of the poll.
A statement by Mr. Kayode Idowu, the Chief Press Secretary to Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, also urged all those directly involved in the conduct of the elections to await further instructions the headquarters.
Idowu said, “The commission is scheduled to meet tomorrow (today) to take a final decision. INEC hereby urges everyone concerned to be patient and await further directives, which will be communicated as soon as a decision is taken.
“The commission also urges everyone to be peaceful and avoid taking the laws into their hands.”
Meanwhile, in Taraba State, Danbaba Suntai of the PDP garnered 361,176 votes to beat his closest rival, M. Mustapha of Congress for Progressive Change,who polled 176,342 votes. Governor Jonah Jang scored 823,536 votes in Plateau State to beat his closest challenger, Mrs. Pauline Tallen of the Labour Party. Tallen garnered 494,975 votes.
By Emmanuel Addeh, Simon Utebor and John Alechenu Courtesy Of: Punch
While in Asaba, more than 5,000 supporters of Democratic Peoples Party candidate, Great Ogboru took to the streets protesting the declaration of incumbent Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan as winner, youths in Owerri demanded the release of the results of the poll in the state.
The Independent National Electoral Commission had on Tuesday suspended the announcement of the governorship election on the grounds that it was inconclusive.
In Asaba, the supporters of Ogboru, who came second in the poll, alleged that INEC manipulated the results in favour of the incumbent governor.
Uduaghan of the Peoples Democratic scored 525,793 against Ogboru’s 433,834 and Action Congress of Nigeria’s candidate, Ovie Omo-Agege’s 15,526.
But shortly after INEC Returning Officer in the state, Prof Abhulimhen Anao, announced the result, more Ogboru’s supporters hit the streeets to protest the results.
They distrupted both commercial and social activities in Asaba for several hours. Traders were seen shutting down their stalls while business premises were securely locked by workers to avoid looting.
But no life was lost and no injuries were recorded during the protest which was well controlled by policemen.
Our correspondent in the state gathered that the protest started around the popular Ogbogonogo Market and then spread to some major streets in the city.
Ogboru later arrived at the scene in a convoy of four jeeps and about 10 buses to address the protesters.
Our correspondent also saw him making frantic calls to the leaders of his supporters in Warri to ensure that protest did not also break out in the volatile oil-rich city.
Thursday’s verdict marked the third in about four years that Ogboru would lose governorship elections in the state.
The PDP also cleared most of the house of assembly seats in the state while a few were said to be inconclusive.
The DPP Chief Agent in the state, Mr. Fred Olokor, had after the announcement of the results refused to sign the result sheet.
Alleging that massive fraud was perpetrated during the poll, he said that the DPP would again challenge the results at the tribunal.
Reacting to his victory and protest, Uduaghan urged those who were dissatisfied with the outcome of the poll to approach the election tribunal.
He said, “I thank God and Deltans for this victory. And for those who did not support me during the election, I have listened to you and I know all the issues you have raised.
“But it is not right for our young people to be exposed to this kind of violence (protest) at this time. Everyone who feels dissatisfied with the results should go to the election tribunal.’’
In Owerri, aggrieved youths, who had besieged the INEC office, heightened tension in the city when they took to the streets calling for the immediate release of the governorship poll.
The youths, and a few elderly protesters, carried placards and chanted songs of freedom as they patrolled major roads such as Owerri-Port Harcourt, House of Assembly , World Bank, among others. Some of their placards read “Rochas is the man we want,”, “we need a change in Imo” and “Declare Rochas Okorocha the winner.”
As they moved round parts of the city with armed soldiers and riot policemen ensuring that they did not resort to violence, they threatened to burn down INEC office if the candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, was not declared the winner of the election.
Four vehicles, including an FG marked Toyota Hiace, were also damaged. It was gathered that many government officials no longer move around in their sport utility vehicles to avoid being attacked by the aggrieved youths.
INEC has, however, appealed for patience over the Imo governorship election, saying it would meet today to take a final decision over the deadlock.
The commission said it had consulted with its lawyers for advice on the next line of action following difficulties experienced during the conduct of the poll.
A statement by Mr. Kayode Idowu, the Chief Press Secretary to Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, also urged all those directly involved in the conduct of the elections to await further instructions the headquarters.
Idowu said, “The commission is scheduled to meet tomorrow (today) to take a final decision. INEC hereby urges everyone concerned to be patient and await further directives, which will be communicated as soon as a decision is taken.
“The commission also urges everyone to be peaceful and avoid taking the laws into their hands.”
Meanwhile, in Taraba State, Danbaba Suntai of the PDP garnered 361,176 votes to beat his closest rival, M. Mustapha of Congress for Progressive Change,who polled 176,342 votes. Governor Jonah Jang scored 823,536 votes in Plateau State to beat his closest challenger, Mrs. Pauline Tallen of the Labour Party. Tallen garnered 494,975 votes.
By Emmanuel Addeh, Simon Utebor and John Alechenu Courtesy Of: Punch
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