Date Published: 02/26/10

Editor,

Anambra Elections: INEC as a common denominator

It is a fact that INEC has remained a common denominator as concerns controversies in all the elections it has conducted since inauguration. INEC seems about repeating a feat it achieved during the 2003 elections in Anambra State. In 2003 election (in Anambra State), INEC gave us a “wonderful picture” of a well organized voting exercise that produced undisputable (winner) Dr. Chris Ngige. But this was countered by electoral tribunal/court and Obi was at the end of the struggle, sworn in as the rightful winner. 

This year 2010, again INEC has painted another “wonderful picture” of a result in the Anambra State gubernatorial election; this time produced the undisputable (winner) in person of Peter Obi. Ngige has pointed out some serious irregularities in the declared result. Some other contestants who had earlier rushed to congratulate Obi based on the wrong report by INEC are gradually recanting. Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former VP Alex Ekwueme and many observers have complained that the exercise though peaceful because Anambra people want peace, was a sham.

Ngige is now heading to the election tribunal for interpretation of the result and other irregularities that besieged the supposedly peaceful election that took place in Anambra. Obi (even) with most other contestants shouted foul about the exercise when the voting was still on, describing it as a sham. Now that Obi was declared the winner, he suddenly has recanted on his utterances. All the various actions of persons involved were recorded in the media and may form part of evidence that Ngige would present. Ngige probably, might this time, achieve what Obi achieved against him of the 2003 election.

Dr. Ephraim Dickson

University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital

Enugu

  ephraimdickson@yahoo.com