Contrary to earlier report that a winner has been declared for Imo North Senatorial District, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said the election has not been decided.

This was even as INEC asked Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, to contact it over the non-issue of certificate of return to him.

INEC had removed Okorocha’s name from list of elected senators with a note “result declared under duress.”

According to information on INEC’s website, there is no senator-elect for Imo North yet, as no name of candidate was filled. The INEC made a note: “Not decided” against the senatorial district.

Confirming that Imo North case has not been decided, INEC Director of Information and Voter Education, Oluwale Osase Uzzi, said there was a problem over it. He advised Okorocha to see the commission over his certificate of return.

He said: “We’ve taken decision on governor Okorocha and we will revisit it later. It is up to him to get across to the commission. As for the Imo North, it is true we declared the result, but, there was a problem later.”

Meanwhile, there are agitations in the state over delay in announcing the result of the senatorial and House of Representatives elections for Imo North and Okigwe South Federal constituency, which were concluded last Saturday.

The candidates for Imo North were Patrick Ndubueze (PDP), Charles Onyirimba (APGA), Ndubuisi Emenike (AA) and Senator Ben Uwajumogu (APC). For the House Representatives for Okigwe South, the candidates were Jonas Okeke (PDP), Emeka Nwajiuba (Accord) and Chike Okafor (APC).

After the first election on February 23, INEC ordered a supplementary election in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area, Ehime-Mbano Local Government Area and some booths in Onuimo Local Government Area, Ihite Uboma and Obowo due to irregularities. The election held on March 9, but no result has been announced.

The Returning Officer for Imo North, Prof. Ohajianya, allegedly announced Uwajumogu as winner, even while collation was ongoing. Due to massive outcry and prompt intervention of INEC headquarters, the RO’s announcement was not recognised, and no certificate of return was issued, yesterday.

Sources revealed that the results for Imo North and Okigwe South Federal Constituency have been moved to INEC headquarters, in Abuja, for further action.

Commenting on the Imo North, Senator Athan Achonu, who represented the senatorial zone before, urged INEC to declare the correct result.

•Sourced from a Daily Sun report

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