From Ifeoma Ejiofor, Awka
The senatorial candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), for Anambra-Central senatorial zone, Princess Helen Ifeoma Mbakwe, has threatened to drag Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to court over logo blunders.
Princess Mbakwe said the logo of her political party on the ballot paper used for last Saturday’s election was blurry and made it difficult for her supporters to identify and vote for her.
The NNPP candidate stated this while addressing journalists at the Anambra State Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Awka, the state capital.
She said: “Let me in the strongest terms condemn the poor handling of the printing of my party’s logo on the ballot papers by INEC thereby frustrating my ambition and the bright chances I had to contribute to a better Nigeria.
“We all know the details of the logo of NNPP, which is “Basket of Fruits” and the party name NNPP, whereas neither did INEC present [anything] that looked like a basket of fruits nor the acronym NNPP on the Ballot Paper.
“The INEC ballot paper’s NNPP logo confused many of my supporters and they voted for any party, including LP and YPP.
“In the parts of Anambra Central where I have strong supporters like in Idemili North and South, INEC officials never showed up till noon or thereabout. This too disenfranchised many early birds who had trooped out to vote for her.” She stated.
Princess Mbakwe however, congratulated the winner, Sen Victor Umeh and other contestants for the peace that reigned among them while the contest lasted.
“I want to congratulate Senator Victor Umeh for emerging victorious. I wish him well as he works for the interest of our people in all circumstances and situations at the Red Chamber.
“To me and the other candidates, I most sincerely commend the spirit of sportsmanship we exhibited throughout the contest until a winner was announced. Always, let brotherly love rule,” she said.
