Three governorship candidates in Imo state have
bizarrely withdrawn their petitions challenging the victory of Governor
Rochas Okorocha at the 2015 governorship elections in the state.
The withdrawal comes just 72hours after the Imo State Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Owerri commenced hearing.
According to the Nigerian Pilot, guber candidates Hon. Chigozie
Ewunonu of National Conscience Party (NCP), Charles Nnadi of African
Peoples Alliance (APA) and Pastor Anselem Igbokwe of Mega Progressive
Peoples Party, (MPPP) have all withdrawn their petitions without
explanation.
The withdrawal comes just 72hours after the Imo State Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Owerri commenced hearing.
Governor Rochas Okorocha
A source close to the trio claimed they withdrew their petitions
after tribunal judge Hon. Justice David Wyon struck out the application
for withdrawal.
The source claimed the men took the action in the interest of the people of Imo state.
The Imo State government has however praised the candidates for their actions.
In a statement issued by Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Sam Onwuemeodo, on Wednesday, the government said: “they
had chosen not to be part of any development that would constitute
distraction to the government in the state or somewhat disturbance to
the governor.”
Rochas Okorocha was re-elected to his position as governor
as he convincingly secured 20 out of the 23 local government areas in
the state where the supplementary election was held, polling a total of
31,326 votes.
The PDP’s Emeka Ihedioha could muster only 13,624 votes. The outcome
of the polls maintained the trend of Okorocha’s early lead in the
polls.
Ihedioha had trailed Okorocha with 79,525 votes in the
original election. Okorocha polled a total of 416,996 votes out of the
total 806,764 votes cast in the election.
Coming a second was Ihedioha with 320,705 and Emmanuel
Ihenacho of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in distant third
with 28,434 votes.
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