Anambra: APC rejects Anambra South by-election result

By Jude Opara

The All Progressives Congress (APC ) has rejected the result of the Anambra South senatorial district by-election held on Saturday.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Emmanuel Nwachukwu of APGA the winner with 90,408 votes.

Azuka Okwuosa of the APC polled 19,847 votes, while Donald Amangbo of the African Democratic Congress came third with 2,889 votes.

Basil Ejidike, APC Chairman in Anambra, alleged that the party’s candidate was held hostage in his home by men of the Anambra Vigilance Group.

He further claimed that a state government official, not from Anambra South, led members of Agunaechemba, the state security outfit, to restrict APC candidates in Orsumenyi.

“While he distracted our governorship candidate in Orsumenyi, the Vigilance Group held our senatorial candidate hostage in his home,” Mr Ejidike alleged.

Nicholas Ukachukwu, the APC governorship candidate, added that the party did not know where the returning officer obtained the results, as most were still with electoral officers.

He accused the state security outfit of committing a serious breach of the electoral process and questioned why nobody had been arrested.

Mr Ukachukwu said APGA’s actions revealed fear, in spite of its claims of popularity, and suggested the party avoided a genuine popularity contest.

“They know Anambra is tired of APGA and their government,” Mr Ukachukwu stated.

He recalled that at a pre-election security meeting, it was agreed that the state security outfit would not participate and should be disarmed.

“Instead, they openly carried guns, arrested people, and detained them in their own cells. If it were APC, they would accuse us of using the police and the army to intimidate them,” he said.

Mr Ukachukwu stressed that the APC would challenge the declared result, insisting it did not reflect the people’s will. He expressed confidence in APC’s chances in the November 8 governorship election.