In a resounding triumph, the Governor of Imo State and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the ongoing governorship election, Hope Uzodimma, has secured victories across all 27 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the landslide victory at the state collation centre in Owerri, the state capital. Uzodimma’s success was officially declared by INEC, with the state Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Abayomi Fasina, taking a brief break to compute the final result and formally announce the winner.
However, the victory was not without its share of controversy. Earlier during the final collation of LGA results on Sunday morning, Callistus Ihejiagwa, the state agent of the Labour Party, faced physical confrontation and expulsion from the collation centre. This followed his objection to the results presented by the LGA returning officers.
Amidst the tension, Kissinger Ikeokwu, the state agent for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), opted to exit the collation centre in response to unfolding events. Samuel Anyanwu, the PDP candidate in the election, had previously called for a total cancellation of the election on Saturday night.
Governor Hope Uzodimma’s comprehensive victory in all 27 LGAs solidifies his position and marks a significant milestone in the unfolding political landscape of Imo State. The aftermath of the election, coupled with the dramatic developments at the collation centre, underscores the intensity and high stakes surrounding the electoral process in the state.