A stakeholders’ meeting organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Imo State spiralled into chaos following INEC’s National Commissioner for the South East, Hon. Kenneth Ukeagu, instructing the media to vacate the meeting venue.
The abrupt order issued by the INEC official incited strong reactions from opposition parties, media representatives, and civil society groups at the gathering.
In a viral video circulated on social media, a heated exchange unfolded between Labour Party deputy governorship candidate Tony Nwulu and his Peoples Democratic Party counterpart, Jones Onyereri, who confronted Ikeagu over his directive.
After the meeting, Onyereri spoke to Arise TV, expressing deep concern about INEC’s readiness for the upcoming election.
He stated:
“I am not sure INEC is ready for this election because we just had a special stakeholders meeting, which was a big sham.
“It was most embarrassing because before the meeting actually started, after the opening speech by the national commissioner, Hon Ken Ikeagu, he had asked the media to walk out of the venue.
“It was most shocking. Every candidate, we all stood up and challenged him, asking why he would make such a decision. Are we running a secret society?
“This is a major gubernatorial election. Why would you tell them to walk out? You must tell the world how ready you are for the election unless there is something you need to hide.”
Watch the video below:
That very moment the National Commissioner for South East INEC Commission, Hon. Ukeagu Kenneth Nnamdi, directed the media to put off their cameras during the stakeholders meeting and the Media, opposition parties and civil societies resisted him & Mrs Sylvia Agu against all odds pic.twitter.com/LNJKC2sMk9
— Due Process (#MiddleBeltLivesMatter) (@DueProcessWorld) November 8, 2023
