THE Imo State governor and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the ongoing governorship election in the state, Hope Uzodinma, has said the Independent National Electoral Commissioner (INEC) would declare whoever God approved as the election winner.
Uzodinma told journalists immediately after casting his ballot at his polling unit in Omuma in the Oru East Local Government Area on Saturday, November 11, that the election was peaceful.
He particularly commended INEC for the exercise.
When asked what he anticipated on the election’s outcome, Uzodinma responded calmly and smilingly, “Only God knows the outcome. I have voted, and people are still voting. At the end of the day, whatever God approves will be announced by INEC.”
Responding to a question on the conduct of the off-cycle election compared to the presidential and state Houses of Assembly elections held in February and March this year, he said the off-cycle election in Imo state has been free, fair and credible.
He said, “I just observed that the voters in the queue appear enthusiastic, and we could see the joy they are expressing. The conduct has been very orderly, and you can see the queue is very straight, and there is no interference. And I have not seen anything suggesting that there will be any likelihood of disorganization.
“It is an impressive outing, too. You can see the number of people who have come out to vote. I am not surprised because this is my home town. Of course, a prophet is rather known very strongly in his hometown.
He noted that the security agencies had highly deployed their personnel and mercenaries and that flashpoint places were manned and occupied by men of the security forces.
“People are responding positively and behaving themselves, he added. I have not heard that there is any knockout anywhere to talk of the bullet. I think Imo State is good to go, and I said that the election in Imo state is free, fair, and credible,” he said.
The ICIR had reported the incident of gunshots that occurred in the early morning of Saturday in Amaimo Central School, Amaimo ward, Ikeduru local government areas (LGA) of the state, as residents trooped out to cast votes in the governorship election.
Uzodinma is battling with 17 other candidates in the election.
Sam Anyanwu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Anthony Nnaji of the Labour Party (LP) remain his major contenders for the election.
Uzodinma was sworn in as governor in January 2020 after the Supreme Court nullified the election of the then-sitting governor, Emeka Ihedioha of the PDP, and declared him the winner.
He is to conclude his first term in January 2024.