…Commends INEC For Early Commencement Of Voting Across The State
FIC Report (Abia State) – Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) for the early commencement of voting in the Governorship and House of Assembly elections across the State.
Answering questions from Newsmen after casting his vote alongside his wife, Nkechi at Ward 7, Unit 032, Umuebere, Umuobiakwa, Obingwa LGA, Dr Ikpeazu noted that as early as 8-9 am, INEC Staff had started setting up in preparation for the day’s voting in over 90 percent of locations in the State.
According to him, today’s outing is far better than the February 25th Presidential and National Assembly elections.
He regretted that late arrival of voting materials during the presidential polls created chaotic scenes and expressed the hope that collation of results of today’s elections will commence on time.
He expressed joy with the calmness,peace and security that characterized the exercise in his area and hoped it will continue across the state.
Dr Ikpeazu said his greatest achievement in the state is peace, security and stability and implored Abians to vote for sustained peace and development in the state.
The Governorship Candidate of African Democratic Congress in Abia State, Bishop Sunday Onuoha has also described the electoral process of the Governorship and State House of Assembly election as the major pillar of democracy.
Bishop Onuoha who voted at exactly 12:20pm at the polling Unit 007 Okai Item, commended INEC for showing fairness by arriving at the unit by 7:30am.
He noted that electoral process is peaceful just as he prayed that it remain calm across the state.
He tasked the electoral umpire to be transparent and maintain high standard of credibility following the much confidence Nigerians repose in them.
However,there has been presence of security operatives while accreditation and voting continues as of the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, At Orie Amaenyi Primary School Ohuhu, some voters and party agents were seen exchanging verbal words until the President General Ohuhu Welfare Union addressed the electorates.
He appealed to them to remain calm and follow the lay down rules.
In a related development,another Governorship Candidate in the State, Prof Greg lbe has appreciated the INEC for ensuring an appreciable improvement in the conduct of today’s Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Elections in the State.
Prof Ibe stated this while fielding questions from Newsmen shortly after casting his vote at his Uturu country home in Isiukwuato LGA described the exercise as a far departure from what was obtained in the last Election in the State.He reminded Politicians that the process is a game of sports hence there is no need for sharp practices and adviced INEC not to recognize suspicious results from any quarter and condemned some reports of hijacking Electoral materials in some parts of Abia South.
Contributing, another Political Stakeholder, Sen. Emma Nwaka observed that though the exercise was peaceful but that the turnout was low.
Sen Emma Nwaka further confirmed to have mobilised his Isiukwuato Loyalists to exercise their franchise against all odds and expressed the optimism that Abia will join the wind of change blowing in Nigeria for the overall peace and development in the country.
These Governorship Candidates, Alex Otti of Labour Party, Okechukwu Ahiwe …PDP, Enyinnaya Nwafor…YPP, Ikechi Emenike … APC, Prof. Greg Ibe …APGA and Bishop Sunday Onuoha of ADC are in this battle to replace Okezie Ikpeazu.
