The All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected the outcome of the Anambra South Senatorial by-election held on Saturday, August 16, accusing the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) of widespread electoral fraud and violence.
APC’s candidate, Azuka Okwuosa, who lost to APGA’s Emmanuel Nwachukwu, described the election as deeply flawed and called for its cancellation.
According to the official results announced by INEC Returning Officer, Prof. Frank Ojiako, Nwachukwu won with 90,408 votes, while Okwuosa came second with 19,847 votes. Donald Amamgbo of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) received 2,889 votes.
Speaking at a press conference in Oraifite, Ekwusigo Local Government Area, Okwuosa condemned the poll as a “charade” and “a disgrace to democracy,” claiming that security forces and electoral officials were used to rig the process in APGA’s favour.
“What we witnessed was not an election but a carefully planned operation to sabotage the will of the people,” he said.
“Armed operatives under the guise of ‘Operation Udo-ga-chi’ were deployed to harass and intimidate voters across all seven local government areas.”
He also accused the operatives of laying siege to his residence and attempting to prevent him from voting.
According to him, he narrowly cast his ballot before the security personnel arrived.
Okwuosa claimed that APC had earlier raised concerns about possible manipulation and use of state apparatus to influence the outcome, saying those fears were validated by Saturday’s events.
“These security teams, made up of people with questionable backgrounds, invaded polling stations, prevented voting in many areas, and even attacked my home,” he added.
He further alleged that members of APGA and the state government, including the local government chairman and an Assembly member, were involved in orchestrating these activities.
He called on the public to reject the election results and urged his supporters to remain peaceful despite the provocation.
“I believe I won this election, and I have evidence to support that. We have CCTV footage of the incidents. Still, I’ve asked my supporters to remain calm and not retaliate,” he said.
He also criticized Governor Chukwuma Soludo, blaming him for the deteriorating security situation in the state and accusing him of failing to protect citizens during the election.
In response, APGA’s Publicity Secretary, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, dismissed Okwuosa’s allegations, calling them “the rant of a sore loser.”
“Anambra remains APGA territory. The APC has no real presence here,” Opara said.
“It’s ironic for a party that tried to manipulate the election to be the one crying foul.”
Opara claimed that the APC candidate was caught trying to divert electoral materials to his residence and accused his supporters of attacking APGA officials.
“Their governorship candidate physically assaulted the state’s Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Felix Odimegwu, who is now hospitalized,” Opara alleged.
“We have lawyers reviewing the matter, and legal action will be taken.”
He maintained that despite the tension, the people’s will ultimately prevailed.
