Suspected thugs in large numbers reportedly stormed Oshiegbe and Umuezeokoha Wards in Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State and hijacked electoral materials meant for the election.
According to sources, this incident has impeded the smooth conduct of gubernatorial and state assembly elections in Ezza North LGA.
The particular local government was said to have been the stronghold of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA governorship candidate, Prof Benard Odoh, in Ebonyi State.
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The Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Ebonyi State, Mrs Onyeka Ugochi confirmed the news but assured that the Commission has already stepped into the situation and would definitely come up with a viable solution.
“I have gotten so many reports from that Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. We are on the verge of doing something. We will take care of it.”
Speaking with Vanguard on phone, the APGA Governorship candidate, Prof Benard Odoh blamed the incident on the ruling party. According to him, the APC had imported thugs in the state to disrupt election at various polling Units across Ezza North Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State.
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He confirmed that three voters were shot in his polling Unit as election materials were destroyed.
He however made a plea to INEC to consider re-conducting election in various polling units, where election was disrupted and materials destroyed.
“They have been on rampage since morning from polling Unit to polling Units, destroying electoral materials, snatching ballot boxes and all kinds of mayhem. It’s been a very challenging period for us.
“We have not given up. INEC is even out of ideas as they have been muzzled out. The security agencies are doing their best but they are not enough to contain the number of thugs on ground.
“I want to call on INEC to re-conduct election in all the places that election was disrupted; it should be re-conducted in those areas.”
Reacting to the allegations, the APC Chairman in Ebonyi State, Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha denied the involvement of his party in the heinous act.
“APC cannot be involved in such violence. Am hearing about what is happening in Ezza North LGA. It is not the turn of Odoh to become Governor. Power comes from God.”
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Photo Credit: Getty
