Imo LP Says INEC denies Achonu access to certified true copies of election documents

The Labour Party in Imo State has slammed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for blocking its candidate in the November 11 election, Athan Achonu, from getting certified true copies of documents used for the finished election as mandated by law.

The opposition party expressed its displeasure in a statement on Saturday, signed by Chibuikem Diala, Director of Media and Publicity for the Senator Athan Achonu Campaign Organisation.

The statement reads:” We have been alerted to wicked schemes by Imo State INEC under Prof. Sylvia Agu to prevent our legal team from getting certified true copies of documents used for the November 11 governorship election in Imo State as mandated by law.

“This is after our solicitors have made an official request to the State INEC Office, properly acknowledged and received on November 15, 2023.

“It is crucial at this point to inform the national chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies of these cunning delay tactics, which may be to further deprive our party and the candidate of the Labour Party of justice in the November 11 election.”This is intolerable, and we demand that INEC act promptly, as time is running out.

“Some relevant questions that need answers include: If INEC has nothing to conceal and is ready to come to equity with clean hands, why then postpone the release of the CTC of requested materials?

“INEC was so quick in announcing the results of 27 LGA in less than 12 hours after the elections; why then is it taking the same INEC over 144 hours to issue the documents supporting their declarations? One would expect a better and more effective approach from the electoral body.

“We only hope that this postponement is not a trick by Imo State INEC and agents of the APC-led government to perfect their rigging by meddling with sensitive materials in the INEC office. This strategy to deny the people of Imo State the chance to have a leader of their choice will not work, as we urge INEC to act promptly and stop disrespecting Imolites.

“Therefore, we also urge the security agencies and INEC, led by Prof. Mahmoud, to do all they can to ensure that the certified true copies are released as requested and timely too.

“While we wait for INEC to act promptly, we further assure the caretaker governor in Imo State to enjoy his “Certificate of Return” only for a while as he will soon return it to the rightful owner.