Nationnewslead report that Following widespread sporadic shootings, violence and maiming of voters in the 17 Units of Ward 11, Itak, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has cancelled the Supplementary election of Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency held on Saturday.
Our Correspondent observed that voting could not take place in almost all the units due to the massive shooting by sponsored thugs to disrupt the peaceful conduct of the election.
Announcing the cancellation, the Resident Electoral Commissioner; Cyril Omoregbe, who briefed collation officers in his office on Saturday evening, said the election stands canceled following reports of violence that claimed few lives.
Hon. Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo of the YPP who led the PDP Candidate Dr. Glory Edet in the National Assembly election held on February 25 2023, is said to have trailed in the re-run election held in polling units in Itak before alleged fake army men invaded some polling units and attacked electoral officer and voters, including a youth corps member shot with a rifle.
The incumbent representative Hon. Ukpong Udo is said to have boasted that he would do everything to ensure that the election draws blank, so he would be declared winner with the previous inconclusive result.
The 17 polling units in Itak which was the focus of the bye-election with over six thousand votes is said to be a strong hold of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP and thier Candidate had canvased for massive support ahead of the poll.
Also briefing newsmen Itak, a member of the community Edem Udo said, “What took place today was a charade and nothing to write home about. In fact, voting was peaceful in my polling unit until some men who dressed liked army officers came and disrupted the process by shooting at the Youth Corper.”
He urged INEC not to just annul the results but to fix a fresh date for the people of the area to vote their chosen Candidate.
Another member of the community Chief Ambrose Okon accused the YPP Candidate Mr Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo of sponsoring violence to discredit the process and get INEC to return him as the winner without taking into consideration the input from the entire Itak communities.
According to him, “We are all witnesses to the ugly incidents that occurred last Saturday, we mobilized and trooped out enmasse to support Dr Glory Edet of the Peoples Democratic party to represent us in the National Assembly after a disastrous four years of the incumbent member but met chaos in our various units.
“YPP saw defeat coming because we have resolved to stand by PDP and all they could do was to unleash mayhem on innocent people”.
Also speaking with Correspondents, a woman leader in Itak, Mrs Helen Etim regretted that the aborted rerun election was deliberately orchestrated by the YPP Candidate to return to the National Assembly against the wishes of the constituents.
She further highlighted,’ We resolved to use the election ensure that the existing zoning arrangements in our federal constituency is not truncated by Emmanuel Ukpong Udo who wants to usurp the turn of Ini local government for the seat.
INEC is yet to issue a statement on a fresh date where adequate security could be provided for the conclusion of the election in the federal constituency.
Contact: Nationnewslead.com
