Hundreds of supporters of Governor Hope Uzodinma took to the streets of Owerri, the state capital, on Sunday to celebrate the governor’s victory in the state’s November 11 gubernatorial election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Uzodinma, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the winner of the polls after scoring 540,308 votes to defeat his closest rival, Samuel Anyanwu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Athan Achonu of Labour Party, who polled 71,503 and 64,081 votes respectively.
Immediately after the INEC returning officer for Imo, Prof. Abayomi Fasina, declared Uzodinma the winner, the city erupted in celebration. Motorcycles and vehicles drove through the streets in a frenzy, and supporters danced and sang victory songs.
Hundreds of APC supporters, led by Chinasa Nwaneri, Barr. Ennyinna Onuegbu, and the deputy speaker of the state house of assembly, Amarachi Iwuanyanwu, stormed the INEC office along Port Harcourt Road, Owerri, and marched from street to street. They were joined by various groups of convoys who came from nearby parts of the state to join the victory march.