Message To Ndi Imo On The April Governorship Election
I have heard the verdict of the INEC on the just concluded Governorship and State assembly elections for Imo State.
First of all, let me congratulate the great and wonderful people of Imo State who went through enormous troubles, stood in the sun and rain for many hours in order to cast their votes not just once but twice. You showed unalloyed support for me and our great party. I thank you all for this sterling display of democratic spirit.
Unfortunately your votes were not allowed to stand. Inspite of instances of identified electoral malpractices including the arrest of over 25 Imo state INEC staff who conspired with the opposition to manipulate and change the results of the elections already declared in favor of PDP; Inspite also of public confession of an INEC Returning officer who was forced under gunpoint to declare false results in favor of the APC in the gubernatorial election; Despite several arrests of fully armed men impersonating police officers and recorded inducement of INEC staff at Government House Owerri on the eve of the election as captured in photographs, audio and video recordings by local and international observers; And inspite of the proven widespread incidents of swapping of PDP votes in favor of APC, all of which eroded the validity and credibility of the exercise, INEC has gone ahead to declare the APC candidate as the winner.
As a democrat and a law-abiding citizen, I wish to acknowledge the declaration of the results by INEC. We will study the details of the results announced very carefully and communicate our position in the near future.
Meanwhile, I urge all Imo people to maintain the peace and keep the dream of rebuilding our great state together alive.
