Honourable Uko Ndukwe Nkole, member Representing Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency and Aspirant, Abia North Senatorial Zone, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged that election on Tuesday at the senatorial district was disrupted by Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa and made inconclusive.
Nkole had earlier protested the appointment of Godwin Ndom, as the PDP returning office for the primary election, saying he is a known coordinator of Ohuabunwa and consequently alerted the Chairman of the Party, Rt. Hon. Allwell Asiforo Okere who agreed to change the returning officer.
Specifically, Nkole, in a statement sent to SINL Nigeria Online said on election day, Ndom, in connivance with his miscreants, personally grabbed the ballot box (bucket), available ballot papers and result sheets and ran out of the election venue after disrupting the entire process.
The statement which read in part said:
“I place it on record unequivocally that the Abia North Senatorial Zone Primary elections of the PDP, held on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 was inconclusive as the election materials were hijacked by Mao Ohuabunwa and Mr Ndom”.
“This clarification has become necessary in view of the fact that the sponsor and beneficiary of this affront on our electoral processes, planned and premeditated this action knowing fully well that he is unpopular and to orchestrate chaos he hopes to benefit from.
“My opponent Mao Ohuabunwa physically confronted me and grabbed my shirt. He was assisted in this endeavour by Ikechi Patrick Anya. Seeing me being attacked, one of the Delegates present from my Constituency intervened on my behalf and demanded I be respected as a serving Member of the House of Representatives. Mao Ohuabunwa used his walking stick to smash the head of the Delegate while his thugs helped to tear the young man’s clothes and molest him.
“At this point, Mao Ohuabunwa, in connivance with Ndom and his miscreants, personally grabbed the ballot box (bucket), available ballot papers and result sheets and ran out of the election venue after disrupting the entire process.
“I have taken all necessary measures to ensure the processes is completed within the stipulated time” he said.
Meanwhile, the lawmaker has called on the PDP to reschedule the primaries and conclude the process on time.
In a related development, an aspirant in the primary election, Honourable Mba Ajah has petitioned the party and also called for a reschedule of the exercise.
Ajah, in a petition dated 25th May, 2022, and copied INEC Resident Electoral officer, state chairman of PDP and sighted by our correspondent demanded for a change of electoral officers to neutral officers that will not be compromise.
