APC rejects Anambra south by-election result, alleges candidate was held hostage

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected the result of the Anambra south senatorial by-election, alleging that its candidate, Azuka Okwuosa, was held hostage during the poll.

Basil Ejidike, chairman of APC in Anambra, made the claim while reacting to the outcome of Saturday’s by-election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Emmanuel Nwachukwu, candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), as the winner of the election.

According to INEC, Nwachukwu polled 90,408 votes, while Okwuosa secured 19,847 votes. Donald Amangbo of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) came third with 2,889 votes.

Ejidike alleged that Okwuosa was “held hostage” in his home by operatives of the Anambra Vigilance Group during the election.

He also accused a state government official of leading members of Agunaechemba, the local 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 said.

Also speaking, Nicholas Ukachukwu, the APC candidate in the forthcoming gubernatorial election, questioned the authenticity of the outcome, claiming that many results were still in the custody of electoral officers.

He accused the state security outfit of breaching the electoral process and expressed concern that no arrests had been made.

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

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

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

“If it were APC, they would accuse us of using the police and army to intimidate them.”

Ukachukwu said the APC would challenge the election outcome, insisting it did not reflect the will of the people.

He added that the party remains confident ahead of the November 8 governorship election in the state.