Protest Mars Imo Assembly Election

PROTESTS have trailed yesterday's election in four wards of Oguta constituency in Imo State.While political parties on the platform of the Conference of Nigerian Registered Political Parties (CNPP) and women from Mbano Agwa, Oguta Constituency of Imo State demanded outright cancellation, insisting the polls be held in all the 11 wards, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) argued that it should be conducted in the four wards of Obudi/Agwa/Aro, Mgbala, Ndiulokwu and Nwaorie as ordered by the Court of Appeal in Owerri.The protesters were halted by security operatives consisting soldiers, police and men of the Federal Road Safety Commission and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.Last year, polls held in seven of 11 wards were upheld by the Court of Appeal after protests and litigations.PDP candidate in the polls, Dibiagwu expressed satisfaction that the polls were peaceful.INEC fixed August 11 for the polls. But this was resisted by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and other political parties.Commander of 34 Artillery Brigade, Brig. Gen. Modibo Abubakar Akikali, led military and security operations in the area to ensure safety.Despite the skirmishes, the member representing Ohaji/Egbema Constituency in the state Assembly, Chief Luke Chukwu; APGA state chairman, Marshal Okafor; PDP contestant in the election, Eugene Dibiagwu; and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were at the area.Speaking on behalf of the protesters, a woman, Gladys and Oguta Youth leader, Bright Ihejirika, said they are fed up, demanding that elections are held in all wards in the constituency or not at all.Speaking, yesterday, Imo State ANPP chairman, Dr. Vitalis Orikeze, said: 'ANPP is fully taking part in the by-election at Oguta for the remaining four INEC wards to decide who will represent Oguta in the House of Assembly.'According to our monitoring crew, the election is going on well without hitches, except in some booths. And this has been resolved by security agents.'As agreed by all parties taking part in this election, INEC and Imo State commissioner of Police during our meeting yesterday, the final counting of votes and declaration of results shall be at the INEC office at Owerri. We expect that all the parties concerned shall keep to this agreement.
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