By-Election: APGA, APC Trade Blame Over Alleged Violence , Vote Buying

APGA Senatorial candidate for Anambra South District, Emma Nwachukwu, after casting his vote

As allegations of electoral violence and vote buying continue to trail the conduct of the Anambra South Senatorial District and Onitsha North I State Constituency by-elections, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have engaged in a war of words, each blaming the other for the electoral infractions.

Reports indicate that voting commenced as early as 8:30 a.m. in both constituencies, with a commendable turnout of voters who trooped out to exercise their franchise.

The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) functioned efficiently in many polling units, although isolated malfunctions were reported.

In such instances, INEC officials, in agreement with party agents, resorted to manual voting to ensure eligible voters were not disenfranchised.

In Orumba North Local Government Area, voting also started on schedule. However, tension briefly escalated following allegations that some INEC officials were hoarding electoral materials.

The prompt intervention of security operatives helped avert what could have degenerated into violence, and the process resumed peacefully with voters lining up to cast their ballots.

In the Onitsha North I State Constituency, however, the situation was reportedly more volatile. Allegations emerged that political thugs were imported from Oba and Obosi in the Anambra Central Senatorial District to intimidate voters and coerce them into voting for an unnamed candidate.

These developments have led to heated exchanges between the APC and APGA.

Mr. Okelo Madukife, a director in the campaign organization of Azuka Okwuosa, the APC’s Senatorial candidate, directly accused APGA of orchestrating the violence and vote buying, describing the by-election as a “rape of democracy.”

“As predicted, a desperate APGA has placed Anambra South Senatorial District under siege in its bid to secure an unearned victory in the ongoing by-election,” “Two of our party agents are now in danger, and their lives are in the hands of Mr. Obi, who has a history of rigging elections to secure political office as Chairman of Ekwusigo.”

“The Majority Leader of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Ikenna Ofodeme from Ichi Town, has allegedly facilitated the importation of violent youths from Oba in Idemili South to target and attack voters perceived to be unsupportive of APGA,” he added.

Mrs. Chioma Chukwuka, a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), also leveled accusations against APGA, claiming that voters were being harassed and offered monetary inducements of N10,000 to vote for the ruling party’s candidate.

However, Hon. Ofodeme dismissed the allegations as baseless.

He insisted that the election process had been largely peaceful and that security personnel had earlier intercepted opposition elements who attempted to disrupt voting.

Madukife remained adamant, reiterating that thugs from Oba and Obosi were used to intimidate voters in Onitsha, thereby suppressing support for opposition candidates.

“They brought in thugs from Oba and Obosi in Idemili North and South LGAs to foment trouble in Onitsha. Voters are now scared to vote for candidates of their choice,” he said.

In response, the National Publicity Secretary of APGA, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, dismissed the allegations as the desperate antics of a losing opposition.

“These are fabricated stories by a bunch of sore losers. Anambra is APGA land, and everyone knows it,” “They complain about rigging, yet they couldn’t even field polling agents in many units. That’s because even their own people know there’s no viable path to defeating APGA in Anambra.”

“We have never relied on violence or thuggery to win elections. It is always those who are not on the ground and lack grassroots support who resort to violence in desperation.”Opara said.

As the dust settles on the by-elections, stakeholders are calling for thorough investigations into all allegations and for INEC and security agencies to ensure electoral integrity and justice for all parties.