Imo guber: Political leaders, protesters engage in war of words over Ihedioha’s election

The last may not have heard over the election of Governor Emeka Ihedioha as the Imo state as some Political stakeholders in the State under the umbrella of ” Concerned Leaders of Political Parties (CLPP) on Monday engaged with two other political groups; the Grand Coalition of Political Parties (GCPP) and Forum of Governorship Candidates (FGCI) in Abuja over the decision of the Appeal Court which upheld the election.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja on the matter on Monday, the National Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Chief Agbo Major on behalf of the CLPP alleged that Gov Ihedioha was not a product of “genuine” election and as such the group thought the judiciary would do justice to the matter

According to him, “the election that produced the governor was characterised by fraud and other infractions, he didn’t meet the constitutional minimum requirement of scoring 25 per cent of the votes cast in each of at least, two-thirds of the local government areas in the state

“Ihedioha only scored 25 per cent of the votes cast in 11 local government areas out of 27 as clearly stated in Form EC8D. We cannot reward election riggers in our democracy; those who are a product of fraudulent electoral process cannot rule over us

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“As we approach the final court of the land, the apex court will rise to the demand of justice by scarifying technicalities on the altar of substance and review the document (EC8D) that was the basis for the return of Hon Ihedioha, as governor of Imo state”.

However in a swift reaction to the claims of the group, scores of the members of the two groups led by Chief Ngwoke Frank, armed with banners and placards stormed the venue of the press conference at Treasure Suit, protesting against the CLPP to debunk the claims, saying that Gov Ihedioha was duly elected as confirmed by the Tribunal as well as the Court of Appeal respectively.

Addressing newsmen at the same venue, Chief Frank dismissed the claims of the other group saying the governor was validly elected and declared winner by INEC.

According to him, “we are worried that after going through the gamut of Elections Tribunal and Appeal Court, the petitioners from Imo are still not satisfied

“They have approached the Supreme Court for a final judgement. We are worried about the bad blood they have brought to bear in a simple election petition process”.

He called on all aggrieved individuals and groups in the state across the Party lines to put all matters relating to the last general elections behind them and team up with Gov Ihedioha for the even development of the state.