Enugu Guber 2023: HURIWA Flays INEC Over Delay In Results Announcement:

…warns INEC over attempt to install candidates appointed by powerful forces

Civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, (HURIWA), on Wednesday, lambasted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its unwarranted delay in the collation of results in the Enugu and Abia governorship elections and the tactical delay in the announcement of results and declaration of winners.

HURIWA, in a statement by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, warned the electoral umpire not to cave into pressure from desperate and powerful politicians who want to install and impose their own candidates over the collective will of the people.

INEC on Monday announced the suspension of the collation of results in the Abia and Enugu governorship polls, saying it took the decision after a meeting to review the elections.

INEC National Commissioner, Festus Okoye, said the Commission suspended the collation of results in Obingwa LGA of Abia State where he noted that its office was invaded by thugs on Sunday. Similarly, results from Nkanu East and Nsukka LGAs in Enugu State have also been suspended for further review.

But the commission said the collation would resume on Wednesday, more than 48 hours after.

Before the suspension of collation, Alex Otti of the Labour Party already won 10 of the 17 local governments areas in the state ahead of APC’s Ikechi Emenike, PDP’s Okey Ahiwe and YPP’s Enyinnaya Nwafor who are all in the race.

Before the suspension of the collation by INEC in Enugu where there are also 17 local government areas, PDP’s Mbah Ndubuisi is far ahead of the other candidates like LP’s Chijioke Edeoga, APGA’s Frank Nweke (Jnr) and APC’s Uche Nnaji who are all in the race.

HURIWA’s Onwubiko said, “The unwarranted delay in announcing the result of the guber polls in Abia and Enugu by INEC is totally condemnable and undemocratic. Why delay the announcement of the results in the two states more than 48 hours after the results of 24 states have been announced and the two states’ elections declared inconclusive? INEC is suspect and Nigerians are watching and won’t tolerate any of its shenanigans!

“The case of Enugu whereby election results were completely collated but INEC refused to announce PDP’s Mbah Ndubuisi as the winner and Labour Party as the winner in Abia after Alex Otti win most of the LGAs, is an organised crime on the side of INEC and an attempt to install winners appointed by unknown forces other than the voters.

“Are Boko Haram terrorists not attacking INEC offices in the North? Were collation of results suspended and results taken to Abuja? Why then the case of Abia and Enugu? INEC is suspect! HURIWA condemns these clandestine delay tactics to subvert the democratic will of the people of Abia and Enugu states and INEC should immediately announce the authentic results without further delays.”