[size=15pt] INEC may announce winner today[/size]

From FRANCIS AWOWOLE-BROWNE, Abuja

Friday, April 29, 2011




Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is in a quandary over its inability to conclude the gubernatorial elections in Imo State. The INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega and the National Commissioners will meet today, to take a final decision.

The Imo State Returning Officer, Professor Enock Akobuzor had declared the elections inconclusive and hinted of a rerun to ascertain the winner. The decision to declare the election inconclusive stemmed from the cancellation of results in a couple of local governments where elections were not held in all the wards.
The two leading contenders, Governor Ikedi Ohakim of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Chief Rochas Okorocha of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) were running neck and neck before the sudden suspension of the election.

However, Daily Sun gathered yesterday that the national headquarters of INEC was in a state of confusion over the Returning Officer’s declaration of the election as inconclusive as the Commission would run foul of the law if it holds any re-run election after April 28. The Electoral Act provides that election into an office must be held not less than 30 days before the expiration of the incumbent holder of the office which in this instance is May 29.
INEC Chairman’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Kayode Robert Idowu said yesterday it had held consultations with its team of lawyers on the next line of action and had been advised appropriately.

Consequently, the commission’s leadership will be meeting today (Friday) to take a position on the controversial election. However, a Daily Sun sources squealed that the Commission might announce a winner of the election today otherwise, a State-of-emergence will be declared, an option the Commission would try to avoid.
Idowu would not confirm if the commission would announce the winner after its meeting today as he declined comments. Meanwhile, in a statement yesterday, the Commission solicited for the patience of the people, asserting that a final decision was about to be taken on the inconclusive elections.

Said he: “In view of the difficulties experienced with the April 26, 2011 governorship and state assembly elections in Imo State, which made the Returning Officer to declare the election inconclusive, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had consulted with its lawyers for advice on the next line of action. “The commission is scheduled to meet tomorrow, Friday, April 29, 2011 to take a final decision.

“INEC hereby urges everyone concerned to be patient and await further directives, which will be communicated as soon as a decision is taken. The commission also urges everyone to be peaceful and avoid taking the laws into their hands.” Efforts made to speak with the National Commissioner in charge of Publicity, Solomon Shoyebi on what the decision of the commission might be following its lawyers’ advice, proved futile as several calls made to his cell phone were not responded to.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/apr/29/national-29-04-2011-002.htm