Imo Speaker Debunks Ballot Snatching Allegation

Speaker of Imo Assembly, Chief Goodluck Opiah, says his alleged involvement in the reported ballot box snatching during the April 26 elections in his area is a cheap blackmail.

He stated this on Tuesday in an interview with newsmen in Owerri, adding that the governorship and state assembly elections in his constituency recorded no such untoward incident.

Opiah represents Ohaji/Egbema State Constituency where the election was declared inconclusive alongside Oguta, Mbaitoli and Ngor-Okpuala local government areas as well as Orji Ward in Owerri North Council Area.

“These are allegations by lazy and unscrupulous politicians who were unable to change the opinion of the people of Ohaji/Egbema in their belief in the PDP.

“I take it for what it is, blackmail and an act by mischief makers, who are not comfortable with the unity of purpose by the people of the area to continue to support PDP and Governor Ikedi ohakim”.

Opiah also denied that he was arrested in connection with the allegation, saying that he was never invited by any of the security agencies over an alleged criminal office.

“Again this is the handiwork of my political enemies and detractors, who think that they should discredit me in order to have their way.

“I am a law-abiding citizen and as a chief lawmaker, I can never engage in any act of lawlessness because I know the consequences of breaking the law,” the speaker said.

He explained that the elections were “orderly and peaceful” in his constituency and that he was declared the winner by the returning officer, Mr. Valentine Nwoke, while Governor Ikedi Ohakim scored the highest number of votes.

According to him, the heads of all the security agencies in the state, including the army, state security service, civil defence and police, were in the area during the polls.

“In view of the rumours and speculations that Ohaji/Egbema was a problem area, the Police Commissioner and Commander of the 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze came to witness the conduct of the elections.

“My constituency has never been notorious and there was no reason to declare the result inconclusive,” Opiah said.

“I am sure there is a mistake somewhere, and this should be corrected as quickly as possible,” Opiah said.