Imo “Supplementary” Election: INEC Drops Controversial REC As Anxiety Grows Over Anenih's “Fix-It” Influence.

Anthony Anenih-PDP's "Mr. Fix It"

Fresh anxiety is mounting in Imo State, following the revelation that Chief Anthony Anenih, the notorious election rigger of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) known as "Mr. Fix It," has been put in charge of delivering the state to the party.

Naija News Desk learned that Chief Anenih, in turn, nominated Austin Okogie, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Abia State who is his own kinsman, to be the pointman.  In that capacity, Mr. Okogie was to work closely with another controversial umpire, Humphrey Nwaghene, who is the REC of Ebonyi State.  Late-breaking reports are, however, indicating that Okogie may have been removed from the assignment in the twists and turns now going on.

Naija News Desk learnt that Okogie left Owerri, the Imo state capital this morning after he was recalled by INEC chair, Attahiru Jega.

 Nwaghene, for his part, does not have a glittering record either: his troubled electoral fraud performance led to the cancellation of the Delta State election by an Appeals Court last year. Before he was moved to Ebonyi State, Nwaghene also wrote two reports regarding the state congresses in Delta.  In any event, as of this morning he has yet to be seen on the ground in Imo State.


The other two officials currently on the ground in Owerri are Aniedi Ikoiwak of Rivers and Mike Iginni of Cross River state, and they are both working on the Imo rerun.  Mr. Ikoiwak will lead the efforts, but Naija News Desk sources said the rigging of the election will concentrate in Ogwuta and surrounding areas.  That is where Francis Nzeribe, a former Senator, hails from.  He is reportedly very ill, but his young wife has been handpicked to coordinate for the ruling party.
The so-called "supplementary elections" will hold next Friday in four local governments namely: Mbaitoli, Ngor Okpala, Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta, as well as a ward in Orji, Owerri LGA.  They follow INEC’s declaration of the gubernatorial elections as “inconclusive.”

Naija News Desk has previously reported that the election in the state was won by the APGA candidate, Rochas Okorocha, who defeated the unpopular incumbent, Ikedi Ohakim despite the efforts of some compromised INEC officials to manipulate the electoral returns from the Okigwe area for the governor.   The PDP wants to ensure that it retains Imo State, and the arrival of “Mr. Fix-It” Anenih with three days to go now almost guarantees the success of “Operation Keep Imo.”