From Magnus Eze, Enugu
Labour Party candidate in Enugu State governorship election, Chijioke Edeoga, has rejected the result which gave Peter Mbah of PDP victory.
INEC declared Mbah winner saying he polled 160,895 votes to beat Edeoga who polled 157, 552 votes.
In a press conference in Enugu, yesterday, Edeoga accused INEC of aborting the democratic wishes of Enugu people. He thanked those who voted for him, vowing to take every legal step to reclaim the mandate given to him by Enugu people.
“I want to thank the good people of Enugu State who were involved in this political process to see that the will of our people is determined electorally. The will of our people was made manifest in the few elections that have happened.”
Edeoga said the election showed Enugu State was a Labour Party state as LP won most of the National Assembly and State House of Assembly seats.
He raised allegations of manipulations against some officials of the INEC and the PDP was upbeat that his party would get justice in the courts.
“The election did not meet the standard expected; it was marred by brigandage; it was almost like warfare; ballot boxes were snatched, changing of figures, kidnapping and imprisonment of electoral officers, in Udenu and Nkanu East, fake security officers with tags and uniforms procured for them with government vehicles. Local government chairmen spearheaded this heist that occurred in Enugu State and it is not acceptable. We use this medium to urge our people in Enugu State to remain calm and peaceful, prayerful. Keep faith in God knowing that truth, justice shall prevail,” he said.