The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the Anambra governorship election inconclusive.
The decision was announced in the early hours of today, Monday, November 8, 2021.
Specifically, the decision of INEC to declare the polls inconclusive was attributed to the inability of the commission to deploy staff and materials to Ihiala local government area due to security threats. Further, it was revealed that elections did not hold in that local government.
Addressing newsmen on Monday, Returning Officer, Prof. Florence Obi said the election would now hold tomorrow, Tuesday November 9; adding that this is to complement the 20 local government areas election results already announced.
“We have collated results for 20 local government areas…Ihiala is still outstanding as the commission was unable to deploy to the area.
“Consequently, based on Constitutional considerations and provisions of the Electoral Act; as well as revised regulations and guidelines for the conduct of election issued by the commission; a supplementary election is indicated for Ihiala Local Government Area.”
‘‘So, we have to conclude the election in Ihiala to be able to conclude the process. I plead with you to support INEC, so we can bring this election to a conclusion, to the glory of God. The election for Ihiala will hold on November 9,” she declared.
Additionally, Prof. Obi disclosed that proceedings had to be concluded in Ihiala, as was the case with other LGAs, before a final declaration can be made.
“Clause 47 of the Revised Regulations and Guidelines for the conduct of elections provides that supplementary elections shall be conducted where the commission due to logistic challenges is unable to deploy on Election Day.
“Given the foregoing, it becomes imperative to bring Ihiala Local Government Area at par with the other 20 local government areas in this election before we can make a valid declaration in this election or take any further action based on the extant laws.
“Therefore, I, Professor Florence Banku Obi, in my capacity as Returning Officer for this election, hereby announce the suspension of the process of collation of results and declaration of a winner until a supplementary election is held in the 326 polling units in Ihiala Local Government Area of the state.
“I have conferred with the commission, being the body that fixes the date for the election…The commission has decided that the supplementary election will take place on Tuesday, 9th November 2021. Therefore, the collation of results shall resume thereafter.”
Meanwhile, candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Prof. Charles Soludo appears to be coasting home to victory.
In results announced in all the other Local Government Areas (LGAs), Soludo is leading.
The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has won in 18 out of 20 LGAs in which results have been declared. Only the result for Ihiala remains outstanding.
