An agent of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo state reportedly tore some result sheets, noting that the figures were manipulated.
This led to the suspension of the collation process, and a fierce argument between agents of leading political parties in the state.
Findings revealed that the issue began when a PDP agent, Uche Onyeaguocha, insisted that the result of Ideato South LGA would not be announced. He alleged that Rochas Okorocha, governor of the state, had chased every agent and wrote result for his preferred candidate.
Other party agents, however, insisted that the result should be announced owing to the fact that they had protested when that of Aboh Mbaise LGA was presented but the PDP agent did not complain because if favoured his party.
Francis Otunta, the state returning officer, concluded after consultations that the result be announced.
But Onyeaguocha rushed to the table and tore the result sheet. Retaliating, another party agent rushed to the high table and tore result sheets of other LGAs that had earlier been collated.
Party agents and electoral officials, including the returning officer took to their heels as the fight escalated, while the policemen on duty quickly arrested the two contending agents.