Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has raised the alarm over a perceived attempt by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to collaborate with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to manipulate the result of the Oguta assembly seat rerun election. The ballot, according to the governor, “clearly has the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Hon. Walter Uzonwanne, as the winner.”

Addressing newsmen yesterday at the Government House in Owerri, Okorocha described the declaration of the election ‘inconclusive’ as a slap on democracy andanother wicked move to subvert the mandate Oguta people gave to the APGA candidate in the election held last Saturday.

He described the development as totally unacceptable to the government and people of Imo State, urging INECto uphold its integrity by announcing the result as duly collated and released by its returning officer, Dr. Cynthia Oguike, to avoid facing the wrath of the people.

The governor submitted that election in Oguta has become dramatic as it is the very first time people of the area are having the liberty of exercising the right of electing their representative.

“It is a common knowledge that for so many years, no actual election has taken place in Oguta. It has always been a one-man showwhich has continued to keep the peoplein bondage. This government is determined to ensure that the people of Oguta is liberated from the clutches of these evil men that parade themselves as leaders,” he said.

Governor Okorocha further posited that now the people of Oguta, Imo State and by extension Nigeria have risen to their responsibility to ensure that democracy is practiced in the area, INEC should be fair enough to ensure that justice and fairness prevail.

While expressing disappointment with the manner PDP has continued to handle democracy in the country with particular reference to the Oguta election, Okorocha regretted that democracy which was fought for by all and sundry and with many loosing their lives, is at the verge of being destroyed by the ruling party. He warned that if the ugly situation is not checkmated, it would certainly rubbish the integrity INEC had built for itself after the 2011 elections.

The governor also condemned the manner in which some chieftains of the PDP in Imo State based in Abuja paraded themselves with heavily armed security escorts with the intention of rigging the election.

He pointed out that the results released by INEC and signed by its returning officer, Dr. Cynthia Oguike, shows that APGA candidate, Hon. Walter Uzonwanne, is leading with 9,595 votes from 121 polling booths out of 129 in Oguta state constituency while the PDP candidate, Chief Eugene Dibiagwu, polled 7,7584votes.

While appealing to Imo people to remain calm and law-abiding, Gov. Okorocha called on INEC to maintain their hard earned integrity and announce the result without further delay.

•Photo shows Gov. Okorocha flanked by members of his cabinet during his press briefing on the election.