The All Progressives Congress has rejected the outcome of Saturday’s Anambra South Senatorial District by-election, following the declaration of Dr. Emmanuel Nwachukwu of the All Progressives Grand Alliance as the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Nwachukwu secured 90,408 votes, while the APC’s Chief Azuka Okwuosa garnered 19,847 votes, and Mr. Donald Amangbo of the African Democratic Congress came third with 2,889 votes.
The APC Chairman in Anambra, Chief Basil Ejidike, accused the state government of interference, alleging that the party’s 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, led operatives 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,” Ejidike stated.
Chief Nicholas Ukachukwu, another APC leader, questioned the legitimacy of the results, asserting that most electoral officers still had the original tallies when the returning officer announced the outcome.
He condemned the involvement of the state security outfit, describing it as a serious breach of electoral guidelines. “They know Anambra is tired of APGA and their government,” Ukachukwu said, suggesting that APGA avoided a fair contest due to waning popularity.
Ukachukwu recalled that a pre-election security meeting had agreed that the state vigilante group would not participate and should be disarmed. Instead, he alleged, “they openly carried guns, arrested people, and detained them in their own cells.” He criticized the perceived double standards, stating, “If it were APC, they would accuse us of using the Police and Army to intimidate them.”
The APC vowed to challenge the declared result, insisting it did not reflect the electorate’s will. Despite the setback, Ukachukwu expressed confidence in the party’s prospects in the upcoming November 8 governorship election, signaling a contentious political atmosphere in Anambra State.