Guber aspirant flays Assembly elections in Imo
*Urges Imo indigenes to remain steadfast *Says the dignity of Imolites 'll be restored
A frontline contender for the gubernatorial ticket of Labour Party (LP) in the November 2023 Imo State Governorship Election, Mr Chinedu Amadi, has dismissed the just concluded State Assembly elections held in the state “as shameful and unacceptable to the good people of Imo State.
Amadi, who was reacting to the outcome of the elections regretted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), failed to use the opportunity to redeem it’s battered image following the shambolic Presidential and National Assembly elections held on February 25, 2023.
Amadi in a statement released by his Imo Dignity 2023 Campaign Organization, dismissed the outcome of the elections, saying “that since elections did not take place in most parts of the state, whatever is announced as the results could not be a reflection of the wishes of the people of the state.”
According to him, “what transpired in Imo State on the 18th of March, 2023, was mere announcement of selected list of All Progressive Congress (APC) candidates as members-elect of Imo State House of Assembly they did not receive their mandates from the people.”
He declared that election did not take place in most parts of the state and in few places where a semblance of election held, was marked by gross irregularities and violence orchestrated by political thugs backed by state government and the ruling APC.
His words: “Election did not take place in Imo State. What transpired was mere announcement of APC candidates as House of Assembly members-elect. It will not stand as those now parading themselves as legislators-elect were not elected by the people.
“The rulling party in the state mobilized their thugs to harass and intimidate the electorate and frustrated the desire of the people to freely elect their representatives.
“Reports from across the 27 local councils of the state by both local and foreign observers indicated massive voter intimidation, voter suppression and outright disenfranchisement of the people of Imo State.
“Reports further showed that election did not hold in greater parts of Imo State especially in Imo West Senatorial district, yet, figures were cook up and results announced. Those who dared to come out to exercise their civic rights were intimidated.
It is very unfortunate that our dearly once peaceful Imo State has been turned into a theater of war and have fallen into the hands of political bandits. It is also most regrettable that the electoral umpire that is supposed to be neutral and disinterested was part of the electoral heist in the state”, the gubernatorial Aspirant further lamented.
Amadi, however, urged the people of Imo State to remain calm and steadfast even in the face of provocation by APC in the state.
He further admonished them not to resort to selfhelp as the necessary measures are being taken in order to ensure that all the stollen mandates are retrieved.
The geologist turned politician, enjoined Imo citizens and residents in the state that the unenviable state Imo found itself in the last four years have strengthened his resolve to lead the charge to restore the dignity of Imo State.
“We shall together restore the dignity of our people,” adding that his desire to lead the charge to change the narratives is driven by the quest to put Imo State on the path of sustainable development.
