GABRIEL CHY ALONTA
Contrary to the speculations that the Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof. Charles Okechukwu Esimone, served as Rivers State Returning Officer during the March 18 Gubernatorial and State House of Assembly elections, the authorities of the institution have debunked the reports being peddled on social media.
According to the Acting Head, Information and Public Relations Office of the University, Mrs. Chika Ene, although news had it that our vice-chancellor was appointed as the Returning Officer for Rivers State in the last Gubernatorial/State Assembly elections, Professor Esimone did not serve in that capacity, as exigency of duty took him outside the country within the period.
“For avoidance of doubt, our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Charles Okechukwu Esimone, FAS served as the Returning Officer ONLY for Imo State in the last Presidential/National Assembly elections; where he discharged his duty with integrity and high sense of professionalism.”
“Consequently, on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, the University Senate gave him a standing ovation for standing by the truth and refusing to manipulate election results as Imo State Returning Officer against all odds.”
“We wish to urge the public to disregard the false and malicious reports being circulated recently on social media”, the statement made available to newsmen in Awka, the Anambra State capital, reads in parts.
We reliably gathered that the Returning Officer for Rivers State was Professor Akpofure Rim-Rukeh, the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Delta State.