Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disowned its ad hoc staff, Innocent Ibeawuchi, who stood as the Returning Officer in last Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections in Imo State and has rather confirmed Governor Rochas Okorocha as the senator-elect for Imo West district.
Ibeabuchi after declaring Governor Okorocha winner of the election, in what looked like a dramatic scene at the Orlu INEC Collation Centre, had alleged shortly in another chat with the press in Owerri that he was made to declare him winner under duress.
But INEC, speaking through its Public Relation Officer, Emmanuel Okwara, has maintained that Ibeawuchi was on his own.
She further pointed out that what transpired between Ibeabuchi and the governor was entirely his business. She rather advised Ibeabuchi to make his report official to the commission if his claims were true.
Okwara said, “what transpired between them is his business; let him report to the commission officially if his claims are true but the only person we have cleared so far is Governor Okorocha.”
Meanwhile, INEC has declared the Imo North senatorial and House of Representatives inconclusive, following alleged irregularities that marred the election.