The returning officer for Imo West senatorial district, Innocent Izuchukwu Ibeabuchi has claimed he was forced to announce the results of Saturday’s senatorial election in Imo West district.
According to a Premium Times report, the returning officer made the claim while announcing the results of the senatorial election for the zone.
Before announcing the figures at the district collation centre in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Orlu, Ibeabuchi said he was being held “under duress” to announce the results.
“My name is Ibeabuchi Izuchukwu Innocent, a professor at the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), the returning officer for Imo West (Orlu) senatorial zone,” Ibeabuchi said.
“My area commander; my P.Os; the party agents here present; members of the press; ladies and gentlemen.
“I have been held hostage here for days so I’m trying to ease off and take my life home back to my children and for the sake of that I am calling these results under duress.”
Ibeabuchi then went ahead to reveal the results of the election, and then declared outgoing governor, Rochas Okorocha the winner of the poll.