…suspends elections in two units as alleged Thuggery, arrests mar polls
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Rep. Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) winner of the Ikono-Ini Federal Constituency seat. This follows the supplementary elections held on Saturday 3rd February 2024.
Ukpong-udo polled a total of 24,050 votes to defeat his closest rival, Dr. Glory Edet of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who got 17,282 votes.
With this declaration by INEC, Rep. Ukpong-udo has been duly returned as the Member of the House of Representatives representing Ikono-Ini 2023 – 2027.
...as Hon Moses Essien Floors Godwin Ekpo Again
In the same vein, INEC in Oko-Ita, Ibiono Ibom LGA has also declared Hon. Moses Essien of the YPP who is the incumbent House of Assembly member as the winner of the February 3, 2024 re-run election with a total of 17,502 votes, while Rt. Hon. Godwin Ekpo of the PDP scored 10,947 votes . The result showed Essien polling over 8,000 votes ahead of Ekpo in the March 18, 2023 election.
Some Youths of the area in an interview shortly after the pronouncement on Saturday, February 3, at Oko Ita noted that “…in Ibiono Ibom LGA, we have vowed to resist all unpopular candidates with our votes because we want development not selfish politicians who don’t add value to our lives and do not care about the progress of the area while in power, no matter the money they throw around. This is what we will consistently do going forward”, one of them, Uwem Ikprok quipped.
..as alleged Thuggery, arrests mar polls
Meanwhile, our paper had gathered earlier that the incumbent House of Assembly member for Ini State Constituency, Hon. Lawrence Udoide and Ini Transition Chairman, Mr inibehe Umah were reportedly arrested by a security team from the Inspector-General (IGP) squad from Abuja allegedly with persons suspected to be thugs, over thuggery, vote buying and diversion of election materials in 2 units of Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency.
As at press, they were reported to have been detained at the State Police Headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia
Also, the YPP agents were also reported to have been apprehended by the Nigeria Police Force in Ward 11, Nung Udoe Itak for vote buying.
They were also said be cooling off at the Police Headquarters, Ikot Akpanabia.
… INEC suspends election in two units
see Press Release below:
INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION
PRESS RELEASE
SUSPENSION OF RE-RUN ELECTIONS IN ENUGU SOUTH, KUNCHI/TSANYAWA AND TWO POLLING UNITS IN IKONO/INI
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announces the suspension of ongoing re-run elections in specific constituencies due to disruptions, irregularities and abduction of election officials. The affected areas are as follows:
Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency, Akwa Ibom State
Suspension of elections in two Polling Units (Village Hall, EdemUrua 003 in Ini LGA and Village Hall Mbiabong Ikot Udo 003 in Ikono LGA) where all election materials were carted away by hoodlums.
Enugu South 1 State Constituency, Enugu State
Suspension of elections in all eight Polling Units where the original results sheets were not available for inspection by voters before the commencement of polls.
Kunchi/Tsanyawa State Constituency, Kano State
Suspension of elections in all ten Polling Units in Kunchi LGA due to invasion, vandalization, and disruption by thugs.
The decision of the Commission aligns with the provisions of Section 24(3) of the Electoral Act, 2022. Further necessary measures for the affected constituencies will be announced after the Commission’s meeting on Monday.
INEC invites the security agencies to investigate the incidents, while the Commission commits to thoroughly interrogating any breaches involving its officials.
Sam Olumekun mni
National Commissioner & Chairman,
Information and Voter Education Committee
Saturday 3rd February 2024