A non-political group, Oganihu Youths, has alleged that Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) returning officers and ad-hoc workers were nominated by the Abia State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In a statement signed by the group’s Chairman and Secretary, Mr. Ndudim Elekwachi and Okezie Johnson, respectively, Oganihu Youths alleged that about 90 per cent of names of INEC Returning Officers and ad-hoc workers for the postponed presidential and National Assembly elections were names submitted by the PDP in Abia state.

The group alleged that former commissioner of Finance during former governor Theodore A. Orji’s administration and one of the administrators of Arohukwu College of Education was among those chosen by INEC to work as collation or Returning Officer.

It said an aide of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, according to Felix Obisike, who was arrested on Saturday, was involved in writing the fake results of both the presidential and National Assembly members election from the three senatorial zones in the state; a day before the election.

Obisike was caught around the Methodist Church area in Umuahia with fake election results.

The suspect, who claimed to be a beneficiary of N-Power, a Federal Government empowerment programme, had several other documents in his bag, including the letterhead of the office of the governor of Abia state, in addition to prepared results of the presidential and senatorial elections from the three senatorial zones in the state, with INEC headed paper.

Obisike was handed over to the office of the Directorate of State Services (DSS) for proper interrogation, investigation and prosecution.

Oganihu Youths said in the light of these revelations and happenings, it has lost confidence in Abia INEC office.

The group demanded the redeployment of the Abia REC, returning officers and ad-hoc workers to other states.

•Sourced from a Daily Sun report

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