The Imo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has insisted that Hon Emeka Ihedioha remains the party’s governorship candidate for the 2015 general election in the state.
In a statement, the state Chairman of the PDP Governorship Primary Electoral Panel, Hon. TernguTsegba, the party insisted that Ihedioha emerged the party’s candidate in line with laid down rules and procedures prescribed for the conduct of the primary election, stressing that the exercise was free and fair, transparent and credible.
The committee maintained that it was standing by the result of the election
Part of the statement reads thus: “Imo State PDP Governorship Primary Election was free, fair, transparent and credible. We stand by the Result.
“Our attention has been drawn to media reports of controversy over the results of the governorship primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for ImoState which was held on Monday, December 8th, 2014 at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, the Imo State Capital.
“We wish to make the following points to set the records straight and clear any doubt about the conduct of the primary and it’s outcome that may have been planted in the minds of unsuspecting members of the public:
“i. 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.
ii. 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;
iii. 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. EmekaIhedioha polled the highest number of votes, totaling 346 to beat his closest rival in the race, Senator IfeanyiArarume who scored 336 votes. The other candidates and their scores were also announced publicly. Rt. Hon. EmekaIhedioha was accordingly declared winner of the Imo governorship primary at the venue of the election.
For emphasis, this outcome was arrived at, agreed to and announced to the anxious crowd at the stadium with the full consent of agents of all the aspirants gathered. There was no dissension whatsoever by the candidates or their agents.
Having successfully concluded our assignment, we have submitted our Report to the National Secretariat of our party.All the materials, including used and unused ballot papers for the election are all accounted for and is in custody of the party for verification, if necessary.
