Anambra by-election: APC Rejects Results, Cites APGA’s Intimidation, Threat to Life of Voters, Journalists

By Praise Chinecherem

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra state has rejected the results of the Saturday’s Senatorial by-elections in the state.

The party cited alleged intimidation, harassment and threat to life of voters, including some journalists who covered the exercise.

Addressing newsmen in Awka, the party’s Governorship candidate for the November 8 poll, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu described the acts as height of political provocation, urging his party supporters to remain calm.

He called on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), relevant security agencies as well as the Presidency to be respectfully mindful of what it termed strange brand of politics of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration.

He said, “At last the real and authentic Anambra South Senatorial election result for Orsumenyi Ward 2 has surfaced in the open. APC won very convincingly.

“This was despite all the State government’s shenanigans to make the world believe that the I lost in my Ward.

“This was also amidst invasion of the polling unit and rewriting of results at Orsumenyi Ward 1 by a platoon of armed thugs commanded by Deputy Governor, Dr Onyekachi Ibezim.

“It was an uphill task for APGA despite its fierce efforts to manipulate and change that of Orsumenyi Ward 2 at the Local Government collation centre, Ukpor which was openly resisted by INEC and party officials and agents.

“This stoic posture of these officials and agents made it impossible for anyone from anywhere to defeat the people’s Prince Ikukuoma Ndigbo in his Ward -Orsumenyi Ward 2.

“APC sweeping victory which has literally become traditional clearly stared the ruling APGA in the face when they came to overwhelm Orsumenyi people, but the Orsumenyi youths resisted every of their moves vehemently.

“It’s a very well known aspect of our electoral jurisprudence that it’s an offence for anyone, no matter how highly placed to veer off his community into another persons community on an election day.

“Like a dictatorial emperor of the mediaval era, the deputy governor transversed from polling unit to another molesting and intimidating the natives with his very ill-mannered armed thugs in Orsumenyi last Saturday.

“His band of foul mouthed armed thugs readily shoot indiscriminately while snatching ballot boxes as their emperor gives the orders.

“One wonders what was on the mind of Gov Charles Soludo when he chose to order the invasion of Orsumenyi. This, to say the least, is clearly the height of political provocation.

“But in all these, my party maintained cool composure and persevered for our people. One therefore wonders what was Gov Soludo’s scores in his Isuofia community, Aguata Council in the last general election, and how such figures were generated.

“While we urge our supporters to remain calm, we sincerely urge the INEC and the relevant security agencies, as well as the Presidency to be respectfully mindful of this strange Soludo’s brand of politics as it’s clearly an evil that’s not good for anyone now or in future.”