Athan Achonu, the Labour Party candidate, announced on Sunday that the party fully supports the decision of its Imo State governorship candidate, Athan Achonu, in challenging the victory of Governor Hope Uzodimma through legal means. This move comes after Achonu rejected the results of Saturday’s election and called for its cancellation, citing irregularities, vote buying, and physical assaults on party agents.
Speaking at his Umulomo country home in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of the state, Achonu expressed dissatisfaction with the election process, alleging numerous irregularities. In response, Yunusa Tanko, a spokesperson for the party’s Campaign Organisation, affirmed their support for Achonu’s decision to contest the election outcome in court.
Tanko, reacting to the spokesman’s statements, acknowledged the anticipated challenges faced by the party’s supporters during the election. He stated, “Achonu is right to reject the election results. Definitely, he will be heading to the court in line with electoral provision to seek redress. That election is nothing but a scam.”
Tanko highlighted the intimidation, harassment, and logistical difficulties faced by their supporters, including the denial of accommodation for those who had traveled to support the party’s candidate. He emphasized that the party stands behind Achonu’s decision to pursue legal action, given the circumstances surrounding the election.
Achonu himself, in a statement released through his spokesperson, Chibuikem Diala, asserted that he is the true winner of the election. He dismissed rumors suggesting that he had congratulated Governor Uzodimma, stating that such claims were “wishful thinking that can never happen.”
The statement described the congratulatory narrative as a “script from the pit of hell” and attributed it to the government’s attempts to spread misinformation. Achonu emphasized his rejection of the election results and his joint press briefing with Samuel Anyanwu, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, where they demanded a review or cancellation of the election outcome. He warned of potential public discontent if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not address their concerns.
