IMO: Opposition says Okorocha engaging Hausas to thumb-print ballot papers

The senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for Imo West Senatorial District in Imo State, Osita Izunaso has accused the state governor, Rochas Okorocha of engaging Hausa men to thumb print ballot papers ahead of the general elections.

Okorocha who is also the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC ) for the district was alleged to have engaged the young men since last week Saturday at his Spibat residence.

Izunaso made the allegations through his legal adviser, Prince Orji Nwafor-Orizu, on Wednesday at a press conference, in Owerri.

He added that the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security operatives in the state had been informed of the development.

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He claimed, “We have evidence from one of the security guards, who is an Hausa man, who has been away since last Saturday, and later called to tell his boss, who is a member of our campaign team that they were at Spibat, where they have been paid to thumb-print ballot papers and that is still ongoing as we speak.

“We have already written to the security agencies and to Imo REC on this matter.”

Meanwhile, Okorocha who reacted through a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, describes Izunaso’s allegations as that of an unpopular man who could not win any election.

Onwuemeodo said, “Rochas Okorocha won elections in 2011 and 2015, respectively, through the ballot papers. Osita Izunaso is one of the most unpopular and colourless politicians in the State.

“And he is not an attractive politician to any voter in the State. Governor Okorocha has campaigned in the 12 local governments of Orlu zone.

“Ditto, in all the zones and the state in general for President Muhammadu Buhari and other candidates of APC, but Izunaso has never campaigned anywhere.”

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