INEC steps down 1 LGA result in Rivers over conflicting figures

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Returning Officer in Rivers state, Professor Aniefiok Essein, has stepped down the result of presidential election in Emuoha Local Government Area of the state over votes conflicting figures.

The Collation Officer had earlier declared that President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC got 72,745 votes while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Atiku Abubarkar got 7,148 to come second.

Problem started when both the Collection Officer (CO) and Electoral Officer (EO), Kenneth Eta for the local government were not able to resolve their differences over the votes (figures) from the election.

The Electoral Officer, Kenneth Eta had accused the Collection Officer of absconding with the electoral materials since Saturday when the presidential election was conducted.

The disagreement between the two drew the attention of INEC Returning Officer who directed them to go out and settle their differences.

Thereafter, the duo soon came back and informed the panel that the differences had been resolved.

The Collation Officer was about announcing the result when the PDP agent at the collection centre, Mr Austin Opara, raised an objection that he was not aware of both EO and CO terms of agreement.

Opara alleged that the EO was harassed and forced to come to terms with the CO.

After announcing the result, the Returning Officer directed that the result should be stepped down.