The All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship aspirants in Imo State, including Prince Eze Madumere, have explained the reasons why they boycotted the fresh primary election conducted yesterday.

Prince Eze Madumere, who is one of the governorship aspirants, said in Abuja on Sunday at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja that the election had been compromised.

Madumere, who addressed journalists in company of Sen. Hope Uzodinma, who had earlier been declared winner of the primary conducted by Ahmed Gulak-led panel, said the stakeholders had agreed that the results of the initial poll be declared.

He said: “Yesterday (Friday), we officially addressed the media, to make our positions known to our party and to the whole world for obvious reasons that the election has been compromised. And for that reason, we all came together, the critical stakeholders, majorly the aspirants said that primaries had already been conducted and the result ought to be released as it is – that declares Senator Hope Uzodimma which was conducted by Alh Gulak committee – that all the aspirants signed and agreed that should be declared.

“As I speak to you, some of you may be aware and may have watched on your TV stations that elections are going on. I can tell you that there is nothing going on in Imo State. The result, as I speak, has already been written and waiting for submission today and we have totally rejected it and have already gone to court and the processes have already been served on the national chairman and all the relevant critical stakeholders of the party that we have rejected that and we will stand firm on that.”

Uzodinma, while speaking, said six out of the nine governorship aspirants were not part of yesterday’s primary election.

He said that it would be subjudice for them to participate in the fresh exercise without waiting for the outcome of the legal process since the matter was still pending in court.

On the National Assembly primaries, Uzodinma claimed the results that had already been written would be announced, saying neither the officials nor electoral materials were seen yesterday by people that queued in various wards and collation centres.”

Sen. Benjamin Uwajumogu, who corroborated Uzodinma, said the results of primaries allegedly concluded between 12am and 4am yesterday for governorship and legislative candidates would be announced.

“There is no election in Imo state and it is important to let you know this. Whatever is being produced in the state is a charade and if this is allowed, we know what the obvious result will be in 2019,” Uwajumogu said.