All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly denounced the outcome of the Anambra South Senatorial District by-election conducted on Saturday, claiming irregularities marred the process.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced Dr. Emmanuel Nwachukwu of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) as the winner, securing 90,408 votes.
The APC’s candidate, Chief Azuka Okwuosa, garnered 19,847 votes, while Mr. Donald Amangbo of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) placed third with 2,889 votes.
The APC Chairman in Anambra, Chief Basil Ejidike, alleged that the party’s senatorial candidate was “held hostage in his home by members of the Anambra Vigilance Group.”
He further claimed that a state government official, not from Anambra South, collaborated with Agunaechemba, the state’s 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,” Ejidike stated.
Another APC leader, Chief Nicholas Ukachukwu, questioned the validity of the results, asserting, “We don’t know where the returning officer got the results from, as most are still with electoral officers.”
He accused the state security outfit of undermining the electoral process and criticized the lack of arrests, saying, “APGA’s actions show they fear a fair contest, despite their claims of popularity.”
Ukachukwu further noted that a pre-election security meeting had barred the state security outfit from participating and required them to be disarmed.
“Instead, they openly carried guns, arrested people, and detained them in their own cells,” he said, adding, “If it were APC, they would accuse us of using the Police and Army to intimidate them.”
The APC vowed to challenge the election results, with Ukachukwu asserting, “This result does not reflect the will of the people.”
He expressed optimism about the party’s prospects in the upcoming November 8 governorship election, stating, “Anambra is tired of APGA and their government.” (NAN)
