PDP alleges rigging in Imo bye-election, calls for cancellation 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged massive rigging and other malpractices in Saturday’s bye-election for the Ngor Okpala state constituency election in Imo State.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had announced that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Blyden Amajirionwu, as the winner of the election.

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But the PDP in a statement signed by the state’s Chairman, Engr. Charles Ugwu alleged that the APC “covertly perfected an evil plot to prevent the people from exercising their constitutional mandate”.

The Party said, “Armed groups operated freely, maiming, and shooting sporadically. They abducted staff of INEC and agents of the PDP, carted away electoral materials and result sheets.

“It was a clear case of declaration of war on the people of Ngor Okpala. A total invasion in one of the freest and fairest elections in the history of the Local Government.”

The Party further accused the police of conniving with the combined teams of armed thugs, security operatives and Uzodimma’s Strike Force that also provided cover for appointees of members of the Imo State House of Assembly and members of House of Representatives of APC who invaded polling units in most parts of the Constituency.

“In over fifty polling units, out of 193 polling Units, electoral materials were forcefully carted with INEC ad hoc staff. They went to thumbprint the ballot papers and write results in favour of the APC.

“A few of the areas affected by this electoral fraud include; Ward 1 —008 & 016; Ward 2 —015; Ward 3— 002; Ward 4— 005 and 010; Ward 5 – 002, 006, 011.

Ward 6— 001, 003, 007, 008,009, 011; Ward 8— 004, 005, 006, 007, 008, 009, 011,;Ward 11—002, 004, 010 & 012 and many others,” the PDP alleged.