A returning officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission for Imo West Senatorial District, Innocent Ibeabuchi, has stated that he declared
A returning officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission for Imo West Senatorial District, Innocent Ibeabuchi, has stated that he declared Imo state Governor, Rochas Okorocha winner of the senatorial seat under duress after he was detained at the centre for days. He said this while announcing the results of the senatorial election for the zone.
“I have been held hostage here for days so I’m trying to ease off and take my life home back to my children and for the sake of that I am calling these results under duress,” the returning officer said
Mr Ibeabuchi said he received an urgent call from the state’s Resident Electoral Commission (REC), Francis Ezeonu, to return to Owerri and continue the process Monday morning. But Mr Okorocha’s supporters insisted the returning officer must complet the announcement, otherwise, he is not going anywhere. They blocked the professor from leaving the building. They refused to yield even when police officers intervened. The outgoing governor of the state, Rocha Okorocha who ran under the All Progressives Congress (APC) won in eight of the nine local governments announced earlier.
However, Gov. Okorocha has debunked the claims, stating that the R.O is a blatant liar who may be acting a script.
