INEC Shocks Ifeanyi Ubah, Makes U-Turn, Declares Election Inconclusive

Independent National Electoral Commission has declared Anambra South Senatorial election inconclusive over threat to the life of the returning officer.

The Returning Officer for the senatorial election, Prof Meshach Umenweke, in a letter written and addressed yesterday to the Anambra Resident Electoral Commissioner, said the election that gave Ifeanyi Ubah the candidate of the Young Progressives Party, YPP, a controversial victory was now declared inconclusive.

Umenweke is of the Department of Public and Private Law, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State.

The returning officer claimed that he was forced to declare businessman, Ubah the winner to save his life.

Copies of the letter made available to journalists in Awka yesterday, read in part, “That there were skirmishes within the compound of the Nnewi North Local Government Area (headquarters) where the results were being collated between the police and some thugs who sought to gain entrance to the area of collation. The situation was volatile, intense and charged.

“The police had to spray tear gas to disperse the thugs and supporters, most of who waited nearby.

“There was inadequate security in the collation arena. There was the imminent danger to my person given the situation at hand to delve into the merits of the petition at the material time.

“Sequel to the above, I hereby declare the result of the elections into Anambra South Senatorial seat which I pronounced yesterday (Monday) inconclusive.”