Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has accused the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Professor Francis Ezeonu of compromising elections in the State, saying Emeka Ihedioha’s declaration as governor-elect was done in error.
He argued that from Ezeonu’s activities and actions, it was clear that he was on a mission to fight him politically and facilitate Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) return to power in Imo State.
Okorocha stated this while addressing youths from Okigwe zone, who protested to the Government House on Wednesday against the outcome of the polls in the zone. He added that there was no legal justification as to why Ezeonu would, contrary to constitutional provisions, which stipulate that a candidate must have 25 per cent in 2/3 of local governments of a state, announce Ihedioha as winner of the guber poll.
He said Ihedioha did not win in 18 councils, being 2/3 of the 27 local government areas, but won in only 11 councils. Also, a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuamaedo, Okorocha also berated Ezeonu for accepting the figures from the three local governments of Mbaise where Ihedioha scored 64,219 votes.
On his certificate of return, Okorocha said: “My certificate has not been issued and I wonder why INEC will withhold my certificate for a frivolous reason, without hearing from me.”