This is an opportunity for us to put the facts straight and avoid
misrepresentation of issues in respect to the Oguta election. Let me commence by giving you a brief background of the Oguta
political history. You are aware that my election as the
governor of Imo state was first cancelled in Oguta and some other areas for reasons of irregularities before we went for the supplementary election. You may be also aware that it was the first time the issue of supplementary election was mentioned in the history of Nigeria.
We in APGA did accept that for the purpose of peace. And shortly
afterward, another election was scheduled which incidentally became the
second election that was also cancelled. The third election was when the PDP
maneuvered their way and decided to conduct election in 4
out of the 11 wards, which APGA vehemently boycotted in
clear demonstration of that decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Thereafter, we went through the tribunal and the truth was established once more that indeed, election ought to have taken place in the entire 11 wards.
Let me also inform you that the issue of election in Oguta has
become very dramatic obviously for the fact that election was about to take place for the first time in the area. You will agree with me that for many years now, no election has ever taken place in Oguta LGA as it was always a one-man show, a one-man political abracadabra- that has kept the people of Oguta in bondage for many years. That the people of Oguta and Imo state have risen to their responsibility to ensure that democracy is protected in Oguta , Imo state and by extension Nigeria, is what I suggest as the reason for the over-stretched election in Oguta presently taking place in Oguta.
I must express my disappointment on the way PDP has handled the
affairs of democracy in this state with particular reference to the
Oguta election. I am indeed disappointed that democracy we have
all fought for, and many lost their lives to protect, is about being destroyed by the PDP in Imo state and by extension Nigeria. I am also concerned that this ugly situation if not checkmated, will definitely rubbish Prof. Athahiru Jega-led INEC which no doubt built for itself some level of integrity after the conduct of the 2011 general elections.
It is important to mention some of the things that had taken place in preparation of this election. Our candidate, Dr. Walter Uzonwanne, had three weeks to the election alleged to have
involved in kidnapping case and was incarcerated based on that conspiracy the PDP. This was a clear attempt by the PDP to rubbish
the name of the gentleman so as to secure victory which they do not
deserve in Oguta. A week to the election, this young man regain his freedom and continued his campaign. Despite the campaign of calumny and character assassination, this young man was resolute, consistent and peaceful in his
campaign. However, after the PDP tried that strategy and failed woefully, Eugene Dibiagwu, who is their candidate in that election did attack my convoy by using his campaign vehicle to hit down motorbike rider in my convoy. Immediately, this young man and thugs came out with machete and arms threatening to shed blood if my security men react. It took me
as a governor to plead with the policemen and all other security men in the convoy using the radio not to react for us to have the peace. This Dibiagwu refused to remove the hilux van he used to barricade the road, a situation that forced me to pass through the bush. This is the highest act of insult to a sitting
governor of a state. Even as I speak with you now, the walkie-talkie of government house and one of the pistols of the policeman were forcefully taken by these hoodlums and till date, no action whatsoever has been taken by any of the security agencies probably because Rochas Okorocha is involved. I do not know anybody in this country, a governor or president that would have endured this untold humiliation I have suffered in the hands of the PDP in Imo state and I think that enough is enough.
Then I came back without making a statement just for peace and basically ensure that election holds as scheduled.
Prior to this election, we are aware that different class of men and women who parade themselves as the big-wigs of the nation flooded the Oguta from Abuja with the intention of rigging the election. They moved around the place in convoy loaded with heavily armed security men in desperation to
ensure that they got the election rigged to their favor. But
unfortunately and as God may have it, they failed woefully as the
people of Oguta and Imo state stood firm in what they believe just as
they did during my election.
Suffice it to say that the election was peacefully conducted despite
the harassment that we suffered in the hands of the PDP people because of the belief that with their Oga-at-the-top, they would always have their way in Imo state. And let me warn that enough is enough before this PDP especially in Imo state incur the wrath of Imo people.
Let me repeat that the election was free and fair and the
results were collated at the polling booths to the ward level and from the
ward level , there was a collation of these results at the constituency level situated at the Oguta LGA headquarters.
By my understanding, an election begins and end the moment
the returning officer declares the result and as I speak to you, we have
the result of the INEC summarizing the results from the polling booths,
wards with the entire ward results clearly documented.The results were duly signed by Dr.Cynthia Oguike who was the constituency returning officer. In order words, the election was concluded since the returning officer had signed the result. Surprisingly, what we gathered was that at the point they wanted to make the announcement, a call from Oga-at-the-top came, and they subsequently had what they called consultation. That was how they declared the election inconclusive, the fourth time in Imo state and in the same Oguta. What could have been inconclusive in an election that results were duly collated and signed by the returning officer which gave APGA with a clear lead with over 2000 votes as against the PDP candidate? Does the over 9000 votes of APGA and the 7,000 votes of the PDP as clearly written and signed by the LGA returning officer before the commissioners of INEC and
the Resident Electoral Commission(REC) mark the end of the election process for a winner to emerge? Why cant them declare the winner of this election? The reason they have advanced so far which tends to make mockery of democracy is that out of 129 pooling booths which has about 67,000, election took place in 121 booths which have a total voters registration of about 62, 000 voters. The remaining 8 booths where election did not take place have only about 4000 registered voters. So if election had taken place in 121 polling booths with only 8 booths where PDP also took away the ballot boxes left, what then stopped INEC from announcing the result? I cant understand the kind of country we are running.
If it had been PDP leading with one vote, the election result
would have been announced by now.
Well, I am not the commander-in chief of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria and I don’t have security at my disposal. It is the PDP that has security at its disposal hence they control the federal government. Even in the face of intimidation with the federal myth, the masses stood and voted for our candidate. What could then stop INEC from announcing the result for the poor people? How then can we be talking about democracy if election results cannot be announced whenever PDP is defeated?
This is indeed a treat to our democracy and I hereby appealed to INEC to protect the good name it has made within this period. Fortunately, INEC has enjoined some level of credibility after the last general elections and they should be conscious of that fact and avoid destroying their name because of Oguta election. Let me say at this juncture that if Oguta election had gone the way it ought to be, PDP wouldn't have gotten up to 1000 votes. It is a glaring fact that the party does not have people in Oguta.
For all that have been said and done, we have election in Oguta and results collated by them, candidates screened by them and everything about the election handled by them. What is preventing them from announcing the result they have already released?
The scenario is like a situation where a man took his wife to the altar for
holy matrimony and the priest preached the sermon and proclaimed the
name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit ,and the rings already in
the hands of the couple and failed to unveil them and present them to the
congregation by saying that I hereby declare you husband and
wife. Of course, that cannot stop the marriage. Gentlemen, that is a clear example of the situation we have found ourselves.
It is sad that at the point of announcing the result, they said a call came, that is exactly the kind of phone call that came during my election and the man went by the side and shamefully came back to say that the election was inconclusive. The same antics is playing out again and regrettably in the presence of the federal commissioners and the resident commissioner, a phone call from wherever it was, whether from heaven came and now they are saying that the election was inconclusive. Unfortunately for them, they had already signed the result at the local government level. What was
remaining was the pronouncement of result as released and subsequently the issuance of certificate of return. But even if our candidate has not been returned, we have the result of the election duly signed and released by them. So, the politics being played with the remaining 8 polling booths for reasons that the difference between the two which is over 2, 000 and with the notion that PDP will clear the 4000 votes registered in the 8 booths after they fail to win in the 121 booths, is clearly a trouble-seeking venture by the PDP.
God has favored us so much in Oguta that no life has been lost and we should continue to over-stretch that luck. This is the true story
of what happened.
Now, if they earlier they had the intention of not declaring the result, why then did they sign and released it? Why did they declare from the collation centers to the constituency level which was duly signed by the collation officer who is the returning officer and indeed the final signatory in the collation process?
I want to inform Nigerian that Imo state has been taken for a ride
because of the ill-feeling that Abuja is not with the state government and some people have based on that notion developed the habit of stretching their legs anyhow on the state trying to create confusion.
It is not common in our checkered history that somebody from an opposition
party would defeat an incumbent governor. When you see this happen, you now know that democracy has taken a new turn and I wish
that those supporting them in Abuja can come and see for themselves whether any of these people command follower-ship in the state. It is painful that we are passing through this unfortunate situation even as Oguta people have remained without representative in the state house of assembly for the past 2 years because PDP is disparate to win at all cost. Why must PDP win at all cost? Does that represent democracy?
I want to make an appeal to INEC and those in Abuja
not to create problem in Imo state by allowing the winner of the election, Dr Walter Uzonwanne to resume as the member representing Oguta state
constituency in Imo State House of Assembly.
Those that were deployed from Abuja for the purpose of this election should maintain their honour and declare this result without further delay. Let us go by what they have signed and issue a certificate of return to the winner.
I want to also seize this opportunity to appeal once more to the PDP leadership in Abuja to call their men to order to avoid creating crisis in Imo state.
Therefore, I hereby congratulate Dr. Walter Uzonwanne for doing
well in that election and Imolites for remaining peaceful law-abiding.
Thank you and remain blessed.
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