The stalemated Imo State governorship poll takes place today amidst anxiety that the desperation that some critics noticed in the main election on Tuesday, last week, would not resurface. The two front runners in the race –incumbent Governor, Ikedi Ohakim, and challenger, Rochas Okorocha, were reported to be running neck to neck in the main poll, with conflicting reports of who was leading before the Returning Officer declared the poll inconclusive.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday, April 29, disclosed its decision on the supplementary poll via a statement by its Secretary, Abdullahi Kaugama, identifying the affected local government areas as Ngor-Okpalla, Mbaitoli, Oguta and Egbema, as well as Orji ward in Owerri North.
The statement read: “Following the April 26, 2011 governorship election in Imo State which the Returning Officer ruled inconclusive, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled supplementary election to hold in selected areas on Friday, May 6. The supplementary election will hold in four (4) local government areas namely Ngor-Okpalla, Mbaitoli, Oguta and Egbema; as well as in Orji Ward in Owerri North local government area.”
