Results of the Saturday, April 11, 2015 governorship elections in Abia State was halted on Sunday, April 12, 2015 after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer, Professor Benjamin Ozumba reversed the cancellation of results from Osisioma, Obingwa and Isialangwa North Local Government Areas, which had earlier been voided on grounds of “incontrovertible evidence of violence’’ and reports from international observers.
According to reports, Ozumba reversed the cancellation after Governor Theodore Orji, accompanied by top Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwarts from the state, including National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh stormed the center and held consultation with himself (Ozumba) and the Resident Electoral Officer, Professor Selina Oko.
Ozumba made the reversal citing “fresh information” on the cancelled local government areas, adding that the polling centers with issues would be isolated, with decision on them to be taken later.
An international observer, Ms Shirle Wilson, representing Noble Leadership Initiative, United Kingdom, said “election did not take place in Osisioma,” stating that the election was disrupted by cases of violence and snatching of electoral materials by hoodlums.
