APC alleges Election thuggery by APGA during Anambra Bye-Elections (Must read)

…….calls for arrest and prosecution of defaulters

By Ekelaka Magnus

The Anambra state Senatorial bye-elections for the Anambra South senatorial district may have come and gone, but the confrontation between the Anambra state Deputy Governor Dr Onyeka Ibezim, and the APC gubernatorial candidate Dr. Nicholas Ukachukwu may not be forgotten, one can understand the heat of the moment, the desire to deliver once party’s candidate may have fueled the fiery confrontation.

However, the leadership of the All Progressive Congress APC Anambra state has issued a statement alleging that the ruling All Progressive Grand Alliance APGA in the state on Saturday used thugs and non-state actors to intimidate and arrest voters during the election.

This allegations came on a hills when thugs and the Anambra state vigilante group known as Agu-Ne Chemba and Udo-Gachi security agents were seen disrupting election process and malhandling eligible voters, preventing voters from exercising their fundamental civic rights in Nnewi South were the APC gubernatorial candidate hails from.

The APC party flagbearer Dr. Nicholas Ukachukwu during press briefing issued the statement on behalf of the party executives, alleging that the Deputy Governor in company with the Commissioner for Environment was held hostage by youths of the community accusing him of vote-buying.

According to Ukachukwu, “everyone knows that on election day no one is allowed to leave their place and wander into election territories with heavily armed security without warrant.’

“the deputy Governor and his team have no business monitoring the election in a polling unit were he didn’t come from because he is not a candidate.”

Ukachukwu however justified his own appearance at the scene, stating that it is his community and polling unit.

In the meantime, the governorship candidate of the All progressive Congress APC Dr. Nicholas Ukachukwu while speaking to newsmen also accused APGA for orchestrating the grusome murder of APGA ward chairman in Osumenyi, Nnewi South local government area.

He,however, called on all security agencies to handle the matter professionally.

“There was a security meeting held and all parties involved agreed that all security agencies must remain neutral and conduct themselves in a professional manner before, during and after the elections.”

Continuing, “inspite of all these, the Police could not make any single arrest.”

He therefore called on the lnspector General of Police, the DSS and all the security agencies to wade into the matter to avoid break down of law and order in subsequent elections especially during the November 8 governorship Election in the state.