Confusion and high temper marred the meeting organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC in Owerri, Imo State yesterday with stakeholders from Oguta LGA on the way forward for the Oguta Assembly Constituency election, which has defied all efforts for the emergence of an acceptable Legislator for the Area.
The meeting which took place at Lobic Hotel Owerri commenced as early as 9am with stakeholders arriving gradually until the Hall was full with people who passed through “accreditation” at the entrance of the Hall.
The INEC was led by the Imo Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Mrs Celina Okoh with other officials, including Mr Kelechi Okere.
Members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from Oguta present include; Chief Gideon Nweze, Hon Bony Ejiogu, Hon Kyrian Uchegbu, Oguta PDP Chairman, Chief Maxminian Okedu, Hon Williams Ejiakor and others.
PDP State Officials there include; Barr C O C Akolisa, the Legal Adviser and Youth Leader, Chief Okey Ezurike. Members of All Progressive Grand Alliance present include Aaron Awuzie, Hon Gozie Nzeribe who represented Hon Walter Uzonwanne, who left the venue after he discovered that his PDP counterpart, Hon Dibiagwu was absent. Also present was Ezenna Okoro.
The INEC Boss, Mrs Celina Okoh said she convened the meeting to find a solution and complete the Oguta House of Assembly election that was “inconclusive”.
She said she had a letter of undertaking to be signed by all the political parties that would be involved in the election to assure the INEC of a hitch-free and violent free bye-election to be fixed when all the parties agree on a date.
However, commotion and trouble broke out when the INEC Boss was asked to name the Booths or wards where the fresh elections will take place.
Mrs Okoh replied that she has no capacity to answer the question until she enquires from her superiors in Abuja.
This angered the crowd who said Okoh ought to have put her house in order before calling such a stakeholders meeting.
Another problem arose when PDP asked if APGA was still in the race, pointing out that since Hon Uzonwanne had left APGA and joined APC with his mentor, Gover Rochas Okorocha, there was no need for any other election.
PDP therefore concluded that since APGA has joined APC and ACN did not participate in the election, their candidate, Hon Dibiagwu should be declared winner.
APGA members said their man, Walter Uzonwanne is still in the party, and remains the candidate of the party.
Confusion took over the Hall, when Mrs Celina Okoh and her team took their exit, promising to get back to the stakeholders at a later date after she has contacted Abuja for the way forward.
