The Labour Party’s candidate, Athan Achonu, has demanded the cancellation of the recently concluded Imo State governorship election results. He alleges that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) colluded with security operatives to manipulate the outcome, and has vowed to seek redress in court.
Achonu, speaking from his country home, claimed that his party’s supporters and voters were subjected to intimidation and harassment during the election. He insisted that the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) do not accurately reflect the events that took place at the polling units.
Highlighting discrepancies, Achonu emphasized that voting occurred in several locations without Biometric Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) accreditation, citing specific incidents such as a police officer being assaulted by voters while attempting to snatch a ballot box.
Expressing dismay, he stated, “Today stands as a mournful day for democracy, good governance, equal opportunity, and freedom of choice.”
He went on to accuse the security agencies of undermining democracy, lamenting, “Our democracy was violated by the Department of State Services (DSS), Police, and Military, overshadowing the role of INEC. It resembled a security agency coup more than an election.”
Achonu concluded by urging the cancellation of the purported results and directed his plea to Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of INEC, in a bid to salvage the nation from descending into chaos and protect the integrity of its democracy.
