INEC panel to probe Ngige, Akunyili feud

AN Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) panel is to examine the controversy surrounding the Anambra Central senatorial election.

INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega broke the news yesterday. Besides, he announced the plan for Saturday’s presidential election and did a postmortem of the National Assembly polls.

“Anambra state is one of the most politically challenging places in this country, but we are doing our best to ensure that things are done right; we have already commenced an investigation into what truly happened. It is true that a Returning Officer absconded with results and the Resident Electoral Commissioner appointed another officer who declared that the results were inconclusive because there were discrepancies and certain areas results were not included.

“The officer, who absconded suddenly, reappeared and declared results; there is total confusion really and we are obligated to make thorough investigations. We have asked all those involved in this process to come and appear before an investigative panel with all the documents they have so that we can get to the root of the problem,” he said.

Dr. Chris Ngige, the Action Congress of Nigeria (AC N) candidate who was declared winner by Returning Officer Dr. Alex Anene, has claimed victory.

But the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Chukwuemeka Onukaogu, declared his action as illegal. He said when he made the announcement, another Returning Officer Prof. Charles Asimonye, had been appointed. He declared the election inconclusive.

Jega said Nigerians should expect excellent conduct of the presidential election.

Briefing reporters on the outcome of the lengthy Tuesday meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners at