SAN FRANCISCO, March 11, (THEWILL) – Christian Ogbuagbu, returning officer for Imo state elections, has ordered the arrest of Christian Ehirim, the collation officer of Ohaji Egbema local government area (LGA), for allegedly altering the results of the LGA.
This occurred on Monday as INEC resumed collation of results for the state.
Ogbuagbu, who apparently had the results from the field, announced that the figures Ehirim presented were doctored. Immediately he gave the order, security operatives moved in and led Ehirim away.
Ogbuagbu, a professor, is the vice chancellor, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia state while Ehirim is also a professor.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governorship candidate in Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha, has taken the lead in the results from the 11 local government areas so far declared.
The former deputy speaker, House of Representatives, is leading other candidates with over 70,000 votes, having polled 128,732 votes.
His closest rival, Uche Nwosu of Action Alliance, had so far scored 66,852 followed by Senator Ifeanyi Ararume of the All Progressives Congress Grand Alliance who scored 37,107.
The All Progressives Congress candidate, Senator Hope Uzodimma has polled 27,331 while the Accord Party candidate, Ihedi Ohakim scored 2,047.
THEWILL recalls that the result declaration was disrupted at 5 am this morning by the PDP agent, Uche Onyeagocha, the Special Adviser to Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State on Electoral Matters, Steve Asinobi, and his associate, Paschal Onwukaike.
Their action followed the opposition of the PDP agent to the declaration of the results for Ideato South Local Government Area.
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