The INEC Staff Welfare Association (ISWA) chairman in Abia, Collins Eze, says the Independent National Electoral Commission could not have done anything to stop Alex Otti’s victory in the March 18 Governorship poll.

Mr Otti’s emergence was simply the “choice of the masses,” Mr Eze said during an interactive session with journalists on the sidelines of the group’s annual general meeting and end-of-year party in Umuahia.

Asked if INEC staff could have changed the result, he said, “There is nothing we can do because Otti was the person Abia people demanded. We, as INEC staff, did the right thing by insisting that the right thing must be done. The 2023 governorship election in Abia was free and fair – we did not try to rewrite results or do otherwise.”

He gave an account of his stewardship, saying that his administration recorded significant achievements in three years, including the amendment of the association’s constitution and completion of its secretariat.

Others were the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Federal Mortgage Bank for staff loans under the ongoing Home Renovation Loan to civil and public servants.

The association’s acting administrative secretary, Kingsley Onyeri, commended INEC staff for ensuring free, fair, and credible elections.

Mr Onyeri urged ISWA and other staff members to continue to promote cordial relationships in INEC. He also urged them to always engage in conduct that would uplift the interest and image of the commission.

Mr Eze and other members of his executive were returned unopposed at the event for a second term.

(NAN)