•Jubilant Ideato indigenes
Jubilation swept through parts of Ideato Federal Constituency on Friday as news filtered into the area that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had rejected the proposed relocation of the constituency’s collation centre from Urualla to Dikenafai.
Eyewitnesses described the development as a major relief for residents who had closely followed the controversy, with one stakeholder saying the decision had “finally brought clarity” to an issue that had generated anxiety across the constituency.
Another resident said the decision showed that concerns raised by affected communities could still receive attention at the highest level of the electoral commission, reports Daily Independent.
The reactions followed INEC’s management meeting yesterday, Thursday, September 24, 2026, where the Commission considered and rejected the recommendation to move the Ideato Federal Constituency collation centre from Urualla in Ideato North Local Government Area to Dikenafai in Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo State.
INEC consequently resolved to retain Urualla as the collation centre.
The decision came against the backdrop of opposition to the proposed relocation, which had generated concern among residents and stakeholders and prompted legal action seeking to halt the move.
Reacting, the member representing Ideato North/South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, commended INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, and the Commission’s Federal Commissioners for rejecting the recommendation.
Ugochinyere described the decision as a demonstration of institutional independence and due process, saying it had restored confidence among constituents and shown that contentious electoral matters could receive proper institutional scrutiny.
“I commend Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, and the Federal Commissioners of INEC for this important decision. It shows that the reforms taking place under the present leadership of INEC are beginning to restore confidence in the electoral process,” he said.
The lawmaker said the people of Ideato deserved an electoral system in which decisions affecting them were taken transparently, fairly and in accordance with established procedures.
“The decision to maintain the existing arrangement is a welcome demonstration of institutional responsibility,” he added.
Ugochinyere insisted that the development should not be interpreted as a victory for any individual, political party or group, but as a matter concerning the integrity of the electoral process and public confidence in INEC.
“This is not about victory for one individual, political party or group. It is about the integrity of our electoral system and the confidence of citizens in the institution responsible for conducting our elections,” he said.
He urged political actors and stakeholders to respect the Commission’s decision and allow INEC to discharge its constitutional responsibilities without undue pressure.
He also called for continued engagement with the electoral body through lawful and institutional channels whenever concerns arise.
With the recommendation rejected, Urualla remains the collation centre under the existing arrangement, ending, for now, a controversy that had stirred intense reactions across Ideato Federal Constituency.
