INEC Dodges Constitutional Traps To Resolve Imo Impasse

After meetings lasting many hours, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, finally found a way out of the constitutional challenge posed by the inconclusive gubernatorial election in Imo State on Friday evening.

The Commission announced in a statement signed by its Secretary, Abdullahi Kaigama that it will conduct supplementary election in four local government councils and one ward in order to resolve the deadlock over the elections on 6, May.

The local government areas where the elections will be held include Ngor-Okpalla, Mbaitoli, Oguta, Egbema councils and Orji Ward in Owerri North Local Government Area.

The gubernatorial elections were declared inconclusive following controversies over the results and whether elections were held in the three local government areas or not.

The commission added in the statement that it expects all participants to ensure the highest level of integrity and good conduct to allow for a successful resolution of the crisis.

The Returning officer for the Imo State gubernatorial had declared the polls inconclusive last Wednesday night after results from 24 local government areas were declared.

Ikedi Ohakim, the incumbent governor of the State and the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and business Rochas Okorocha, the candidate of All Progressive Grand Alliance were running neck and neck before the elections were declared inconclusive.

The legal backing being relied upon for the supplementary election is not clear as the constitution stipulates that election must be conducted 30 days to the tenure of an elected official.

Thus, any election conducted after today will be deemed to be constitutionally illegal as all the current office holders are expected to vacate office by 29 May.

INEC did not explain this in its statement but it is believed that tagging the polls ‘supplementary’ rather than a ‘re- run’ is a careful way the Commission hopes will enable it to overcome the legal conundrum.

-Oluokun Ayorinde/Abuja