Local Govt Election : Bloody Clash Averted In Nnewi Over APGA And Labour ,as ANSIEC Cancels Election Again

   

Acting Chairman of Anambra state Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC), Sylvester Okonkwo today announced the cancellation of the election rescheduled local government election in Nnewi South Local government area.

The Public Relations Officer of the commission, Mrs Onwubuya confirmed the cancellation but declined further details.

There was conflicting information, whereas one had it that the cancellation was on the ground that party agents compromised the election process in the field, another version also had it that a damning security report received by ANSIEC made the cancellation inevitable.

 But blood clash was averted at Community School Uruagu Ward 11, when  APGA, Labour Party officials and ANSIEC Electoral Officer clashed.

 Tension rose high when the Electoral Officer came from the local government secretariat of ANSIEC and announced that the election has been cancelled by the commission.

But , youths in the area barricaded the road and locked the school compound saying that they are suspecting foul play on the part of the commission. They threatened to burn down the premises and cause mayhem if they were not allowed to vote but for the intervention of truck loads of policemen from Nnewi Area Command that saved the situation and voting eventually commenced in the area three hours later.

Meanwhile Nnewi town and environs was set for the election with APGA and Labour party struggling to take over the council hence  supporters and agents were assembled as early as from 8 am trooping to various polling units scattered across the town. 

At Otolo, Umudim , Nnewichi ward 1 and 11voters queued up for accreditation and voting between 10 till about 2pm but at Community School Uruagu Ward 11, the election nearly turned into bloody clash between APGA, Labour Party officials and ANSIEC Electoral Officer.

The Obi of Nnewichi, Chief George Onyekaba in a chat with newsmen after casting his vote at St. Martins Anglican Church, Nnewichi said the election was properly organized by ANSIEC. He called on his people to jettison personal interests and join hands with the ruling mainstream party in the state to avoid what he described as victim of circumstance.

Some eligible voters in the polling unit complained of the absence of stamps for voting which had made them to stay longer than necessary before they could exercise their franchise.

As at 3pm yesterday when  reporters visited the Nnewi North Local Government headquarters for the comment of the electoral officer in charge, few ANSIEC workers were seen tiding up their materials though none volunteered to speak.