OBIANO LEADS GOVERNORSHIP RACE

Nwoye, Obaze Trail Behind Voters Shun IPOB’s Call For Boycott Election Adjudged Peaceful With Massive Turnout

The ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) took an early lead in the Anambra gubernatorial election held yesterday.

Early results show incumbent Governor Willie Obiano and his APGA clinching victory in most of the polling units which results have been announced since voting closed Saturday evening. With the All Progressives Congress (APC) chasing by some margin and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following closely behind.

The election had proceeded without catastrophic hitches that marred previous elections, earning the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies the praise of most of the candidates and their parties.

Residents of the state turned out in large numbers in most of the polling units to cast their votes, disregarding calls and threats by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IBOP) for people to boycott the elections.

There had been palpable tension and apprehension in the state ahead of the elections, following series of threat statements by the pro-Biafra group.

However, buoyant crowds trooped quite early to the polling stations, voted and stayed to ensure that their votes were counted. Most of them waited until results were announced at their polling units before they left.

However, the election was not entirely without drama as Governor Obiano came under fire from election observers and civil society groups for addressing the electorate at the Eri Primary School, Unit 004, Otuocha 1, Aguleri, Anambra East, after he cast his votes at 10am Saturday.

The governor was said to have gone to the unit with a public address system and addressed the electorate in what activists said was a clear violation of the electoral laws.