Anambra Poll: ‘Not over yet, I am still optimistic’ – Ozigbo

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the November 6 governorship election in Anambra State, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo has said that the election is not yet over until it is conducted in Ihiala Local council and polling areas in about four local councils where the election was inconclusive.

Ozigbo called on voters to come out in their numbers to cast their vote  in Ihiala, he stated that there are still over 280,000 votes yet to be contested for in the election.

“I am very optimistic that PDP will win with the over 140,000 votes pending in Ihiala Local council on Tuesday and I call on voters to come out and vote for the party.

“In fact there are over 280,000 votes to be contested for both in Ihiala and four other local councils where elections were inconclusive,” he said.

However, he lamented that November 6 election was marred by imperfections which INEC ought to have corrected before the exercise. Ozigbo also said there were places where manual accreditation was resorted to and yet the results were accepted.

He noted that the election was also marred by overspending by the ruling party in enticing voters which did not allow the electorates to leaverage on electing the best candidate for the job.

“I am a victim of Church politics, I attribute low votes to frustrated voters who came out but could not cast their votes,” he decried.

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), declared the result in 20 of the 21 local council area in the state on November 7. All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) winning 18 of the local councils leaving PDP and Young Progressives Party (YPP) with one each.

Suzan O.