UMUAHIA—AS Abia State people wait for the completion of the governorship election in the state declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Governor Theodore Orji has called on the Commission to be conscious of its conduct, live above board and release results of last Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly elections.

The governor charged the Commission to remain alive to its constitutional responsibility of conducting credible elections and be conscious of the fact that citizens attached so much importance to the rights to choose their leaders.

Governor Orji in a broadcast to the people of the state, urged them to remain calm and called on security operatives to maintain peace and order without fear or favour.

He said:  “The dashed expectation of Abians of an early result, as has happened in other states, has heightened tensio in the state and raised emotions.

‘’Abians are known as peaceful citizens and have creditably conducted themselves peacefully since the build-up to the 2015 elections till the present time.

‘’We have not recorded any political assassination or killing, which is commendable and should be sustained.

“There are guidelines on the conduct of elections in the country and ample electoral laws on the subject of our elections which must be strictly applied in the interest of all participants in elections and the citizenry.”