Things did not go as planned at the APC governorship primary elections in Aniocha LGA of Anambra state which was set to hold on Saturday 26th of June 2021, as the exercise was blemished by the late arrival of INEC officials, which caused an uproar, and led to party members refusing to vote.
Our correspondent, Marvelous Ezenwa, who was present at the event, reports that the election, scheduled to begin by 10:00am and end by 2PM was stalled because, although voting members of the party arrived in time to cast their votes, INEC officials who were to monitor the process did not arrive until 4:30PM.
This caused an outcry amongst party members present, who berated the situation and refused to go on with the voting exercise.
Responding to questions on the reason for the lateness, Kelvin Udeh, an INEC official claimed they came late because of logistical reasons, adding that on arrival, he called on the ward returning officers to pick their forms, but party members refused claiming the returning officers were Andy Uba’s Boys.
Addressing correspondents, the APC Aniocha chairman, Chief Ugochukwu Egbobe while emphasizing that Aniocha was a peaceful LG and this was not a case of election violence, clarified the reason for halting the elections, noting that time had elapsed for the elections and it was best halted in a bid to ensure fair play.
He also stated that it was the logical thing to do in respect of the tradition of the community – which discourages movement of strangers at night.
Condemning the act of the Electoral officers, Egbobe pleaded for a shifting of the election to another date, adding that the new time and date will be communicated in due course.
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