While keeping watch at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Umuahia, Abia State, supporters and agents of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) had a fun and anxious evening.
According to Naija News, INEC employees and supporters in Umuahia were dancing and singing as they awaited the Monday start of the results collation process (today).
The election declaration was reportedly delayed until Monday morning at 10:00 am by INEC Returning Officer Prof. Nnenna Oti of the Federal University of Agriculture, Owerri.
When the electoral umpire had officially announced the results from 10 local government areas, the collation process was changed.
As Okey Ahaiwe’s PDP supporters insisted on staying watch to guard against any instances of results manipulation, Dr. Alex Otti’s Labour Party supporters said they were refusing to leave the INEC grounds for the same reasons.
This online news outlet has learned through Daily Post that several PDP supporters from Okey Ahaiwe’s LGA, Isiala Ngwa North, have committed to stay in the INEC office until Monday am, when collation would resume.
Similar to how Otti’s supporters for the Labour Party raised the alarm that there were attempts to smuggle in falsified results from Obingwa LGA, they also cautioned against any attempt to deny him his impending triumph.
Ikwuano, Isukwuato, Umunneochi, Arochukwu, and Bende are the 10 LGAs that have already endorsed Dr. Alex Otti and his Labour Party for governor of Abia.
In addition, Sir Okey Ahaiwe of the PDP won the LGAs of Isiala Ngwa North, Isiala Ngwa South, Ugwunagbo, Ukwa East, and Ukwa West.
As of Monday morning, Obingwa, Umuahia North, Umuahia South, Osisioma, Ohafia, and Aba North and Aba South had not yet been proclaimed.
According to reports, INEC officials were prepared to start declaring election results this morning despite the intense security.