“Our candidate was held hostage,” APC fumes over Anambra South by-election

By Chimezie Anaso

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said its candidate for Anambra South Senatorial District, Azuka Okwuosa was held hostage by men of the state’s vigilance group during the by-election conducted on Saturday.

The Chairman of APC in Anambra State, Basil Ejidike, said this while rejecting the declaration of Dr Emmanuel Nwachukwu of APGA as the winner of the senatorial by-election.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the APGA candidate pulled 90,408 votes to win the election.

Chief Azuka Okwuosa of the APC polled 19,847 votes, while Mr Donald Amangbo of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) came third with 2,889 votes.

But while rejecting the result declared by INEC, the Anambra APC Chairman alleged that the party’s candidate was held hostage in his home by men of the Anambra Vigilance Group.

He further claimed that a state government official, not from Anambra South, led members 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 alleged.

Chief Nicholas Ukachukwu added that the APC did not know where the returning officer obtained the results, as most were still with electoral officers.

He accused the state security outfit of committing a serious breach of the electoral process and questioned why nobody had been arrested.

Ukachukwu said APGA’s actions revealed fear, in spite of its claims of popularity, and suggested the party avoided a genuine popularity contest.

“They know Anambra is tired of APGA and their government,” Ukachukwu stated.

He recalled that at a pre-election security meeting, it was agreed the state security outfit would not participate and should be disarmed.

“Instead, they openly carried guns, arrested people, and detained them in their own cells.

“If it were APC, they would accuse us of using the Police and Army to intimidate them,” he said.

Ukachukwu stressed that the APC would challenge the declared result, insisting it did not reflect the people’s will.

He expressed confidence in APC’s chances in the Nov. 8 governorship election.

(NAN)