The three major political parties in the ongoing election in Imo State have continued to blame one another for the alleged hijacking and diversion of electoral materials to a private resident.
According to the Labour Party (LP), the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) diverted electoral items to a residence in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State.
The party also stated that the APC and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) hijacked electoral materials meant for the Okigwe LGA took it to the Okigwe LGA headquarters.
The spokesperson for the Labour Party governorship candidate, Chibuikem, in a brief statement, said that the electoral materials were hijacked and diverted by thugs working for the ruling All Progressives Congress.
In Orlu, he alleged that the electoral materials meant for seven wards were hijacked by the APC members and diverted to the palace of the Traditional Ruler of Amaifeke community, Emmanuel Okeke.
He said, “The report we are getting from the special assignment room is disturbing. In Orlu, a total of seven wards LG materials were hijacked and diverted to the Palace of Eze Imo which is also the Eze of Amaifeke.
“In Okigwe, all the election containers gathered at the stadium while election materials moved to the local government secretariat where no other agent is allowed in except APC.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also alleged that electoral materials meant for Okigwe LGA were moved to the houses of some APC chieftains.
A statement posted on the official handle of the party on X reads, “In Okigwe LGA, the election materials meant for the volatile Areas are now taken to the houses of the following APC stakeholders.”
“Hon. Emeka Okoronkwo, Commissioner; Lady Nkechi Mbonu, Sole Administrator; Hon. Chidi Ogbunikpa, House of Assembly Member; Hon. Patrick Ndubueze, Senator, Imo North; Pst. Frank ONWUMERE; Former, Transition Chairman, Okigwe LGA,” were listed as the APC members habouring electoral materials in their houses.
The spokesperson for the APC in the state, Cajetan Duke, said that the APC in the state does not have the penchant to commit electoral crimes.