The Independent National Electoral Commission on Sunday commenced the announcement of the result of Saturday’s governorship poll in Abia State with Labour Party’s candidate, Dr. Alex Otti, in a clear lead.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the announcement of the results was, however, adjourned till Monday.
The NAN said the State Returning Officer, Prof. Nnenna Oti, had announced the results from 10 Local Government Areas at the heavily guarded state INEC Collation Centre in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, before adjourning collation till Monday.
From the 10 LGAs, LP polled 65,968 votes, while its closest rival, the Peoples Democratic Party, scored 53,042 votes.
Results from the LGAs
Ukwa East
LP: 2,273
PDP: 2,329
Ukwa West
LP: 2,833
PDP: 4,622
Bende
LP: 9,886
PDP: 3,410
Isialangwa North
LP: 7.323
PDP: 21,741
Isialangwa South
LP: 7,589
PDP: 9.093
Arochukwu
LP: 12,689
PDP: 1,280
Ugwunagbo
LP: 2,153
PDP: 2,538
Isuikwuato
LP: 8,228
PDP: 2,204
Ikwuano
LP: 7,054
PDP: 2,427
Umunneochi
LP: 5940
PDP: 3,198.
The State Returning Officer promised that all the results would be reviewed and determined against the backdrop of alleged infractions, including outbreak of violence, snatching of ballot boxes with the papers and manhandling of INEC officials in some LGAs in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
NAN reports that there were allegations and counter-allegations of infractions, especially by the Collation Agents of LP and PDP: Acho Obioma and Charles Esonu respectively.
Meanwhile, the headquarters of INEC in a tweet on its Twitter handle on Sunday afternoon wrote: “Thugs have invaded our Obingwa Local Government Area office in Abia State.
“Security agencies have been alerted.
“The Commission is monitoring the situation and will issue a statement shortly.”
NAN reports that results from the remaining seven LGAs, including Obingwa, had yet to be brought to the Collation Centre at the time of adjournment.