Anambra APC Vows Crackdown on Vote Buying in Nov 8 Elections

Deputy Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Anambra State, Chief Ifeanyichukwu Osegbo

By Polycarp Ifeanyi, Onitsha

The Deputy Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State, Chief Ifeanyichukwu Osegbo, has stated that the party is developing strategies to prevent electoral fraud and irregularities in the upcoming November 8 gubernatorial election.

Osegbo disclosed that massive vote buying and voter intimidation, allegedly carried out by state vigilante operatives, undermined the party’s chances of success in the recently concluded by-elections in Onitsha North and Anambra South Senatorial District.

Speaking to journalists in Atani, headquarters of Ogbaru Local Government Area, Osegbo revealed that the party had summoned its ward chairmen and polling unit agents across the senatorial zone for a debriefing, although their reports were still under review.

“We’ve taken notes on how the election was conducted. We held several meetings afterward, inviting everyone involved—the ward chairmen and the polling unit agents across the senatorial zone. Though we haven’t gone through their reports yet, from what we witnessed in the field, it was evident that voter intimidation and vote buying played a significant role,” Osegbo said.

He added that the party is already working on a proactive plan to counter these electoral malpractices in future elections.

“We are planning ahead and developing strategies that will counter the irregularities witnessed in the last election. We are equal to the task,” he declared.

Addressing the differences between the elections, Osegbo noted that the senatorial by-election in Anambra South was distinct from the forthcoming gubernatorial election.

He emphasized the widespread vote buying that characterized the previous polls.

Osegbo also accused the state governor of channeling substantial state resources into the by-election, asserting that the governor did so knowing that his party stood isolated in the contest.

He questioned whether the same level of spending would be possible in the upcoming statewide election.

“If not for the huge sums of money deployed by the governor during the by-election, our party would have emerged victorious,” he claimed.

He further stated that the APC won in several polling units across Anambra South, citing specific examples.

“We won in many polling units. In Osumenyi Ward 2, APC won. In Azigbo Wards, APC won. In Nnewi and Orifite Wards 1 and 2, APC also won,” he said.

While commissioning the new Atani Ward 1 party office and inaugurating ward executives, Osegbo reaffirmed that the APC remains a national party with strong grassroots presence.

He expressed optimism over the newly opened ward office and encouraged party members to remain active and committed to securing victory in the next election.

“It’s laughable when people say APC isn’t at the grassroots. Every APC member at the state level began at the ward level. You can’t get to the state without rising from the ward. So, APC is definitely on the ground,” Osegbo added .