…the Anambra by-election has reignited national concerns over voter inducement, security lapses.
NNEWI SOUTH, NIGERIA – The iNews Times | Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has raised alarm over what he described as a brazen assault on the state Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Felix Odimegwu, allegedly perpetrated by agents of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) during Saturday’s by-election in the state.
Governor Soludo, who spoke with journalists after casting his vote at polling unit 002, Ofiyi Square, Isuofia Ward in Aguata Local Government Area, expressed dismay at the incident, which he said occurred in Ezinifite, Nnewi South Local Government Area.
“Just in the last few minutes, I got a terrible report from Nnewi South. My Commissioner was in pain and crying that the APC governorship candidate went around polling units with truckloads of police officers and thugs, beating up voters, including him,” Soludo revealed. “It is shocking, but sadly not unexpected. This is what desperation looks like when one sees defeat looming.”
The governor further accused the APC candidate, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, of orchestrating a campaign of voter intimidation and disruption, especially in areas where his popularity was waning.
Despite the disturbing developments, Soludo commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for what he described as a “relatively peaceful and seamless” electoral process across much of the state, particularly in Anambra South and Onitsha.
However, field reports from various parts of the state painted a picture of widespread electoral malpractice, ranging from brazen vote-buying to intimidation of voters and near-total absence of security in volatile areas.
In Ihiala, Nnewi North, Nnewi South, and Ekwusigo LGAs, party agents were seen openly offering between ₦10,000 and ₦25,000 per vote. In Osumenyi, the hometown of the APC candidate, voters alleged APC agents offered ₦20,000 per vote, while similar reports trailed the APGA stronghold of Ukpor, hometown of its candidate, Dr. Emma Nwachukwu.
A voter at one polling unit in Nnewi South, Madam Victoria Okeke, lamented: “Agents of both APC and APGA came here and gave people money – ₦10,000 to ₦25,000 per person. There is hunger in the land. Some of us refused, but others couldn’t.”
At Nsugbe, Awada, and parts of Ward 9, tension escalated as thugs allegedly affiliated with a well-known politician from Obosi stormed polling units on motorcycles, threatening opposition agents and voters. An ADC agent, Chuka, reported that over 20 motorcycles carrying men disrupted proceedings at one polling unit, while security personnel remained largely absent or indifferent.
Meanwhile, in Onitsha, a combination of low voter turnout, malfunctioning card readers, and apathetic security presence further tainted the process. At several polling units, INEC’s ad hoc staff were accused of covertly directing voters on which party to support.
“I came back from Lagos just for this election,” said Olisa Aghadinuno, a resident of Onitsha. “But I couldn’t even vote because my name wasn’t on the register even though I transferred my details months ago.”
Despite the turbulence, Soludo remained optimistic that the voice of the people would ultimately triumph.
“We are confident that, in the end, the people’s will must prevail. Let the people vote, and let their vote count,” he insisted.
As Nigerians await the official results, the Anambra by-election has reignited national concerns over voter inducement, security lapses, and the integrity of electoral processes in the country.
