I’ll Concede Defeat To Whoever Wins Imo Guber Polls, Says Okorocha

Rochas OkorochaGovernor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has said he is going to congratulate whoever emerges the winner of the governorship election in the state, if he loses.

He stated this while fielding questions from journalists after casting his ballot at Ogboko Ward 2 in Ideato South Local Government Area of the state.

“I will congratulate whoever wins the election. Why not? But, first, let us do things properly”, he said.

The governor faces a tough battle to retain his seat from Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha (PDP) and former Internal Affairs Minister, Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho (APGA).

Speaking on the governorship and house of assembly polls, Okorocha commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for the smooth conduct.

He said: “So far, the election is quite peaceful, especially in Ogboko Ward 2, where I voted. As we would expect, this is a violence-free area in the history of Imo State politics. There has never been any record of violence here. But this cannot be said about places that are notorious for election violence, such as Mbutu in Aboh-Mbaise LGA.

“I have heard about political thugs hired by some politicians to cause mayhem in some polling units. The same thing is going on at places like Ohaji-Egbema, Oguta, Ezinihite and Ngo-Okpala, to mention a few. We must condemn election violence in all ramifications”.

Okorocha, however, advocated for a judicial panel to look into the causes of election violence in the state.

The governor, who is the All Progressives Congress, APC candidate in the governorship election, also commended the security agencies for their handling of security related matters of the election.

“I learnt that some people in fake military and police uniforms, as well as a man found with AK47 rifles were arrested by security men.

“If such things had happened during last presidential and National Assembly elections, things would have been much better”.