The INEC National Commissioner, Festus Okoye, announced on Monday that the Commission had suspended the collation of election results in Obingwa LGA of Abia State, Nkanu East and Nsukka LGAs in Enugu State.
The decision was made after a meeting to review the elections on Monday, following the invasion of INEC’s office in Obingwa LGA by thugs on Sunday.
The Collating Officer in Enugu State, Maduebibisi Ofo-Iwe, stated that he was prepared to conclude the process in a few minutes, but the Commission in Abuja needed to provide advice before the process could continue. He urged everyone to remain calm and wait for the Commission’s decision.
The statement reads;
SUSPENSION OF FURTHER COLLATION OF GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION RESULTS IN ABIA AND ENUGU STATES
The Commission met today, Monday 20th March 2023 and reviewed the conduct of the Governorship and State Assembly elections held nationwide on Saturday 18th March 2023. Arising from the meeting, the Commission took the decision to suspend forthwith further collation of the Governorship election results in some parts of Abia and Enugu States.
It will be recalled that our office in Obingwa Local Government Area was invaded by thugs yesterday Sunday 19th March 2023 and our official’s held hostage in relation to the collation of results from the Local Government Area. Similarly, reports from Enugu State call for a review of the results for the Governorship election from the two outstanding Local Government Areas of Nsukka and Nkanu East.
Consequently, the Commission hereby suspends the collation of results in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State and the two outstanding Local Government Areas of Enugu State which are yet to be collated. A review will be undertaken immediately before the process is concluded.
We appeal for the understanding and patience of voters, parties and candidates in the affected States.
Barr. Festus Okoye
National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee
Monday 20th March 2023