After a lengthy meeting that included consultations with lawyers over the next step that should be taken over the left-over elections in Imo State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has resolved to conduct supplementary elections in the remaining local government areas of the state on May 6 this year.
In a statement issued by the Secretary to the commission, Alhaji Abdullahi A. Kaugama at around 8.00 pm on Friday night while the meeting was still going on at INEC headquarters, the electoral body stated that the election would take place in four local governments and one ward in Imo State.
“Following the April 26, 2011 governorship election in Imo State which the Returning Officer ruled inconclusive, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled supplementary election to hold in selected areas on Friday, May 6, 2011.
“The supplementary election will hold in four (4) Local Government Areas namely; Ngor-Okpalla, Mbaitoli, Oguta and Egbema; as well as in Orji Ward in Owerri North Local Government Area.
“INEC urges all stakeholders to ensure the highest level of integrity and good conduct in the supplementary election to allow for smooth conclusion of the governorship poll,” Kaugama stated.
Speaking with The Nation in his office on Friday night, Mr Kayode Idowu, the Chief Press Secretary to INEC chairman, said that the decision was reached after deliberations with INEC’s lawyers.
“INEC met its lawyers to ensure that we are correct in terms of every expectation on legal requirement.
“Contrary to speculations in some quarters, Prof Jega has never said anything about declaration of a state of emergency,” he said.
The Imo governorship contest is getting more interesting and keener by the day.
The leading candidates, Ohakim and Okorocha, are said to be making appreciable showing and are currently running neck to neck. The supplementary election in the four LGs thus promises to be dicey because it is going to be the decider and both leading candidates will put everything into it. While Ohakim enjoys the advantage of incumbency, Okorocha is reaching to his goodwill as a philanthropist and a deep pocket.
At a time like this, you are conversant with a popular saying that "change is the only constant thing", i now want to add that it doesn't matter the cause or the time for the change, what matters most is your response towards to the change. Out of change, change can take place!
I only wish to ask whether there's any constitution in this Country that states that election should be conducted thirty (30) days before swearing in!
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