INEC officials desert collation centre

dimeji akinloye

December 11, 2016 5:18 PM

The returning officer, Oji Ekumankama, expressed worries at the turn of event in the election, admitting that something has gone wrong.

Governor Nyesom Wike at a polling booth during the just concluded Rivers rerun election held on Saturday, March 19, 2016.

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The Cable reports that the officials walked out of the venue of the exercise one by one, declining to speak to journalists when they were probed on why they were leaving.

The returning officer, Oji Ekumankama, who is the only one left at the venue as at the time of filing this report said he is worried.

He said: "I am very disturbed at the moment.

"We just have to announce a winner. Even if everyone leaves, I will still remain here. As the returning officer, I have nowhere to go until the result is announced.

"I know that something is wrong somewhere, but this is our country, we will all do our best to develop it."

When asked if he has informed the appropriate authorities, he said: "They are aware."

It was reported that shortly after the INEC officials left, party agents and journalists also exited the venue, leaving behind only the agent of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The collation was said to have commenced around 11pm on Saturday and ended by 5:25am on Sunday, December 11.

ALSO READ: Rivers Rerun - INEC denies deploying fake results

Only results of Ikwerre and Emouha local governments of the eight in the district had been declared by INEC officials.

But it was later reported that a 'powerful' politician had hijacked the result of Ikwerre, where Governor Nyesom Wike and Rotimi Amaechi, hail from.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won in Port Harcourt, Ogu/Bolo, Okrika, Omuma, Obio Akpor, and Etche local governments, which are the six areas where results have been announced.

dimeji akinloye