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Thousands of Imo State youths yesterday caused heavy traffic on major roads of Owerri while protesting against the ruling of the Election Petition Tribunal on Imo West senatorial district poll of March 9, 2019.
The irate youths, from Orlu Zone, proceeded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office where they asked the electoral umpire to join in the suit to appeal the tribunal’s verdict.
Speaking under the aegis of Orlu Zone Youth Platform and Orluzurumee, Orient Nnwadike and Marcus Ben described the ruling as unacceptable and a miscarriage of justice.
They appealed to the judiciary and other relevant authorities to ensure that the verdict was revisited and the mandate given to the rightful winner, who according to them was Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Jones Onyereri.
Responding, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Francis Ezeonu, who was represented by the commission’s Public Relations Officer, Emmanuella Ben-Opara, assured the youths that INEC would always be available to testify in court.
This came after claims by INEC staff, Prof. Innocent Ibeawuchi, who served as Returning Officer for the election that he declared the results in favour of Rochas Okorocha under duress.