Electoral Panel for the Peoples Democratic Party Imo state chapter gubernatorial primary elections has said that the exercise was conducted in accordance with due process and guidelines set for primary elections.
Chairman of the electoral panel, Hon. Temgu Tesegba said “The primary was conducted in a most peaceful manner devoid of wrangling, rancour, and bickering as duly accredited delegates, aspirants, agents of aspirants and members of the Electoral Panel as well as State Chairman of the party participated, observed and undertook the exercise in an orderly manner. The exercise was also witnessed and observed by the Media, INEC, Police and SSS.
“The exercise was conducted in accordance with due process and in line with the guidelines set for the primary election and duly adhered to by the Electoral Panel as certified by delegates, aspirants and their agents in the full glare of the media which was fully present.
“The process of election started with strict and painstaking accreditation of all delegates. A total of 1064 delegates were accredited for voting. Voting, Sorting, Counting and Announcement/Declaration of Results was done in the open.
“Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha polled the highest number of votes, totaling 346 to beat his closest rival in the race, Senator Ifeanyi Ararume who scored 336 votes. The other candidates and their scores were also announced publicly. Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha was accordingly declared winner of the Imo governorship primary at the venue of the election.”
Hon Tesugba insisted that he stood by the result and he advised those who lost to concede defeat.
After the gubernatorial primaries won by Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, another aspirant claimed that there was a mistake in the compilation of results.