The Independent National Electoral Commission – INEC, in Anambra State, has said that preparations are in the final stages for the rerun election in two federal constituencies in Anambra State on February 3, 2024. This was revealed by the INEC through the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Anambra State, Dr. Mrs. Queen Elizabeth Agwu on Wednesday during a press briefing at the INEC headquarters in Awka. The Election Petition Tribunal had ruled that a rerun election should be held in five polling units across four wards in Nnewi North LGA for the Nnewi North, Nnewi South and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency. Similarly, the tribunal also ruled that rerun elections should be held in sixteen polling units spread across one ward in Orumba North LGA, for the Orumba North and South Federal Constituency.
After the February 25th National Assembly Election, Hon. Uchenna Elodimuo of APGA was declared the winner for the Nnewi North, Nnewi South and Ekwusigo federal constituency, while, Hon. Chinwe Nnabuife of YPP, was declared the winner for Orumba North and South federal constituency. However, Peter Uzokwe of YPP successfully challenged Elodimuo’s election, leading to the court’s decision for rerun. In the case of Orumba, Hon. Okwudiri Ezenwankwo of PDP who was the incumbent member of House of Representatives for the constituency as of the time of the election, also successfully challenged the winner.
In Nnewi North, South and Ekwusigo federal constituency, the main challenger of the former winner is Peter Uzokwe of YPP, although there are nine other political parties participating in the coming rerun as was the case in the first election. Also, in the Orumba North and South federal constituency, the main challenger of the previous winner is Hon. Okwudiri Ezenwankwo of PDP.
During the meeting of media and stakeholders convened by Dr. Queen Elizabeth Agwu, the Anambra Resident Electoral Commissioner- REC, she expressed her profound gratitude to the media community in Anambra State. “I want to use this opportunity to appreciate every media represented here…since November 2022, you have given me all the necessary assistance. The media in Anambra is very professional and they verify their news,” Dr. Agwu said.
As for the rerun election coming up on 3rd February 2024, the REC said there are a total of 21 polling units where elections will be held. “We have only 21 polling units where elections will be held on 3rd February, 2024. Nnewi has 5 polling units. Nanka has 16 polling units”. The REC also noted that the total number of voters according to collected Permanent Voters Cards – PVCs, for Nnewi is 97, 438 thousand voters. While Nanka ward has 161, 914 thousand voters. Nnewi rerun will be held in Nnewichi ward 1, at polling units 027 and 002. Then, Umudim ward II, at polling unit 027, Uruagu ward II at polling unit 008 and finally Uruagu ward III at polling unit 007. In Orumba North, the rerun will hold in Nanka ward I in the following sixteen polling units; 001, 003,004, 005, 006, 007, 009, 010, 011, 012, 013, 014, 015, 016, 017 and 018.
In terms of security, the REC assured that there is sufficient provision for security. “There is adequate provision for security of men and materials. No one will molest any voter. The security in Anambra will be tough. Please, let no one use you. Don’t make yourself a scapegoat”, the REC said.
Addressing the contestants, Dr. Queen Agwu said that what they needed was to convince voters as prescribed by law. She also noted that campaign ends two days to the election as dictated by the 2022 Electoral Law. “For the contestants, you don’t need to disrupt the election to win. Convince your people don’t forget, campaign stops two days to the election. No vote buying, no thuggery and no rigging,” REC concluded.
In the meeting with the REC were senior staff members of INEC in Anambra State, Engr. Nnaji Chukwuemeka, formerly head of ICT but now the new Administrative Secretary of INEC in Anambra State. Chinedu Njoku of Election and Party Monitoring unit, Ejimofor Ejikeme, head of Electoral Operations, Uche Okoli, head of legal unit and Kingsley Agu, the Commission’s Public Relations Officers. Also in attendance were Electoral Officers of various local governments.
In his final comments, the Administrative Secretary of INEC in Anambra State, Engr. Nnaji Chukwuemeka noted that “INEC remains resolute in conducting credible, free and fair elections.”
He is a Technical Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano’s Special Adviser on Legislative Matters, whoonce was a Special Adviser to a former Deputy Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly. Ebuka is a second class upper division graduate of Political Science from University of Calabar, Calabar Nigeria and holds a Masters Degree in Political Science with specialization in Government and Development Studies, from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Nigeria
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