“We Will Challenge This Result” — APC Kicks Against Anambra South By-Election Outcome

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected the outcome of the Anambra South Senatorial District by-election conducted on Saturday.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Dr. Emmanuel Nwachukwu of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) winner of the poll with 90,408 votes. Chief Azuka Okwuosa of the APC secured 19,847 votes, while Mr. Donald Amangbo of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) came third with 2,889 votes.

However, APC leaders in the state have described the exercise as flawed, alleging intimidation and manipulation.

APC State Chairman, Chief Basil Ejidike, claimed that the party’s senatorial candidate was held hostage in his home by operatives of the Anambra Vigilance Group. He further alleged that a state government official, who is not from the senatorial district, led security operatives to disrupt voting in Orsumenyi.

“While he distracted our governorship candidate in Orsumenyi, the Vigilance Group held our Senatorial candidate hostage in his home,” Ejidike said.

Chief Nicholas Ukachukwu, another APC leader, questioned the credibility of the announced results, insisting that many of the authentic results were still with electoral officers when INEC declared APGA victorious.

He accused the state security outfit of breaching electoral guidelines and condemned the use of armed personnel during the exercise, despite an earlier agreement at a pre-election security meeting that the group would not participate.

“They openly carried guns, arrested people, and detained them in their own cells. If it were APC, they would accuse us of intimidation using the Police and Army,” Ukachukwu argued.

He further claimed that APGA’s actions revealed desperation, suggesting the ruling party avoided a genuine popularity test.

According to Ukachukwu, the APC will challenge the results in court, stressing that they do not reflect the will of the people. He also expressed confidence that the APC would perform strongly in the forthcoming November 8 governorship election in the state.