In a dramatic turn of events, candidates from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) created a stir when they staged a walkout during a crucial meeting organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The meeting, which took place in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, is part of INEC’s preparations for the upcoming governorship election on November 11.
The candidates seized this opportunity to address a longstanding grievance, putting pressure on INEC to facilitate the redeployment of the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Professor Sylva Agu.
The Tuesday meeting was part of INEC’s ongoing efforts to engage with governorship candidates, security agencies, the media, civil society organizations, and various stakeholders in preparation for the November 11 election. INEC’s Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, delegated this responsibility to National Commissioner Kenneth Ukeagu, representing the South-east.
As the meeting progressed, Ukeagu issued an order for journalists to turn off their cameras and gadgets and exit the hall.
However, things took an unexpected turn when LP’s deputy governorship candidate, Mr. Tony Nwulu, and PDP’s Jones Onyereri, both representing their flagbearers, along with officials from opposition political parties, passionately opposed this directive.
The objection sparked chaos within the meeting held in Owerri, the capital of Imo State. Nwulu and Onyereri argued that the press, regarded as critical stakeholders, should not be excluded from such a pivotal gathering.
An irate Nwulu voiced his suspicions, alleging that INEC had intentions to manipulate the election in favor of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. He questioned whether the meeting was intended to be a “secret cult affair.”
Supporting Nwulu, Onyereri brandished copies of documents that he claimed were counterfeit result sheets, allegedly posted on the INEC portal during the state’s House of Assembly election.
The mounting tension led to a chaotic session, with supporters of both the ruling and opposition parties engaging in verbal altercations, which nearly escalated into physical confrontations.
