Re-Run Polls: INEC Declares Ekwunife Winner

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Mrs Uche Ekwunife of APGA, as the winner of the re-run poll for Anaocha/Njikoka/Dunukofia Federal Constituency in Anambra.

Announcing the result in Neni, Anaocha Local Government area yesterday, INEC Returning Officer, Prof. Emeka Ezeonu said that Ekwunife won with 29,005 votes to defeat Mr Dozie Nwankwo of ACN, who scored 21,948 votes.

Reacting to her victory in the re-run poll held on Wednesday, Ekwunife thanked God and the electorate for the confidence reposed on her and pledged not to disappoint.

She extended her hands of fellowship to her opponent and promised to redouble her efforts toward effective representation in the House of Representatives.

Efforts to get Nwankwo’s reaction proved abortive as calls made to his mobile phone were not picked.

The ACN Chairman in the state, Chief H.U.Dike, however, alleged that the election was massively rigged in Anaocha council area.

“The election was massively rigged in wards one to four in Agulu-Ezigbo of Anaocha and we have filed an objection to INEC.”

On whether the party would challenge the result at the tribunal, the chairman said; “when we get to the bridge we will know what to do”.

The re-run election was at the instance of the Court of Appeal, Enugu, which upheld the submission of the ACN candidate that the 2011 election which produced Ekwunife as winner was marred by irregularities and malpractices.

In a related development, INEC had also declared Mr Ebele Obi of the ACN as the winner of the re-run election in Idemili South state constituency also conducted on Wednesday.

Declaring the result at Ojoto yesterday, the Returning Officer, Dr Chukwuemeka Nwankwo, said that Obi scored 3, 234 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Mr Tony Ezekwelu of APGA, who secured 3, 177 votes.

It would be recalled that Ezekwelu had won the poll in April 2011 but was upturned by the Election Petitions Tribunal in Awka after Obi contested the result.

Ezekwelu, thereafter, went to the Court of Appeal, Enugu, which ordered a re-run election in the constituency.