PDP leads in Imo as Ihedioha takes 12 of 16 LGAs
…As vigilant citizens apprehend illegal ballot boxes smuggled by Gov Okorocha’s agent
…Jubilation over end of Okorocha’s family governance
There were wide jubilations across most towns and villages in Imo State following news of the imminent victory of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Saturday’s governorship elections, Emeka Ihedioha, the former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives.
The PDP’s candidate is in clear lead after securing 12 out of 16 local government areas already collated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Owerri, the state capital.
This is coming as one Mr. Ezediaro, an agent of the Action Alliance (AA), was intercepted with ballot boxes containing hundreds of already thumb-printed ballot papers meant to be smuggled into the Oguta Local Government Area collation centre.
He was however, promptly arrested and handed over to law enforcement agents.
From the collated local governments, Ihedioha is leading the other contestants with 112, 000 votes, making it a watertight win, no matter the votes coming from the remaining 11 local government areas yet to be collated.
There are a total of 27 local government areas in the state known as Eastern Heartland.
Among the council areas won by Ihedioha so far are Ideato North, Obowo, Oru West, Mbaitoli, Owerri North, Owerri West and Owerri Municipal.
Other areas in his firm grip are Ikeduru, Ngor- Okpala, Ahiazu Mbaise, Aboh Mbaise and Ezinihitte.
His closest rival, Ifeanyi Ararume, won in two council areas while the candidate of the Action Alliance and son-in-law to incumbent Governor Rochas Okorocha is leading in two others.
Meanwhile, no fewer than 100 people have been arrested in the state during and after the governorship and state House of Assembly elections for various election related offences.
The state Commissioner of Police, Dasuki Galadanchi, made this known on Sunday while briefing newsmen at the INEC office in Owerri.
Galandanchi said some of those arrested include thugs, fake police officers and fake military personnel in camouflage.
He said for instance, that there was an attack Sunday morning in Nwangele Local Government Area, the local government of Uche Nwosu, the AA governorship candidate, where some INEC ad hoc staff were wounded and taken to hospital.
Dasuki also said another attack took place in Mbaitoli Local Government Area, adding that all those who have been arrested will be fully investigated and prosecuted.
He, however, said the security situation in the state was calm, adding that security agencies were on ground to ensure a hitch free exercise, despite the few cases of ballot snatching and attacks by hoodlums.
Meanwhile, the INEC collation centre in Owerri was still under lock and keys as at noon Sunday, as the various polling centres across the state are yet to submit the results from the various local government collation centres.
