From Uchenna Ezeadigwe
Awka
As All Progressive Grand Alliance faithfuls are celebrating the victory of the party’s candidate, Professor Charles Soludo, the governorship candidate of the All Progres6sives Congress (APC) in the just-concluded Anambra State governorship election, Prince Dr Nicholas Ukachukwu, MHR FNIPR, has dismissed the declared victory describing the election as fraught with irregularities, intimidation, and large-scale vote buying.
Addressing journalists in Awka on Sunday in Awka following the announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which declared Soludo winner with 422,664 votes against his 99,445, Prince Dr Nicholas Ukachukwu MFR, FNIPR, said the election outcome did not represent the true will of Anambra people.
He accused APGA of using the power of incumbency and financial inducement to influence voters, noting that the APC would have emerged victorious if not for the widespread manipulation and intimidation witnessed across several polling units.
According to Ukachukwu, “Anambra people voted massively for me because they are tired of the incumbent. You would have seen more if not that they engaged in vote buying and intimidation. They came with the power of incumbency and money to suppress the people’s will, Dr Prince Ukachukwu, MHR FNIPR stated”.
Prince Dr Nicholas Ukachukwu, MHR. FNIPR. condemned the conduct of the ruling party, describing it as a tragic setback for democracy in Anambra, and called for a comprehensive review of the electoral process to ensure fairness and credibility in future elections_
“We condemn in strong terms the conduct of APGA during this election. It was not free, it was not fair, and it certainly was not credible. But we remain undeterred. Our resolve to rebuild Anambra through people-centred leadership remains unshaken”, he declared.
The APC candidate expressed deep concern over the level of violence allegedly unleashed on his supporters during and after the polls. He narrated how one of his female supporters in Anambra East Local Government Area had her house burnt for mobilising voters and defending the party’s mandate at the collation centre.
“That woman’s only offence was that she believed in our vision for a new Anambra. They burnt down her home because she stood her ground for the APC. The intimidation was massive, but our supporters remained courageous, he lamented”.
“Dr Ukachukwu further said that his polling agents were harassed, abducted, and denied access to several collation centres. He said one of his supporters, who was assigned to pay party agents, was arrested and falsely accused of vote buying, another agent from Nimo was beaten-up, abducted to Enuwgu Agidi Junction by Njikoka Local Government Chairman and his thugs Udo ga chi.
“They arrested my supporter who was to pay our agents, accusing him of carrying money meant for vote buying. How can I, who is not a sitting governor, buy votes against someone who controls the state treasury? he queried”
“The APC standard-bearer described his 99,445 votes as genuine and hard-earned, noting that the result proved the increasing popularity of the APC in Anambra State.
“Those 99,000 votes are the voice of real Anambra people who want progress. For the first time, APC scored nearly 100,000 votes without any inducement. That tells you we are now a major force in this state”, he asserted.
He thanked his supporters, campaign team, and party members for their courage despite intimidation, harassment, and loss of property. He commended his running mate, whom he said was forced to flee after being threatened by thugs loyal to the ruling party.
Prince Dr Nicholas Ukachukwu, MHR. FNIPR. emphasised that he was still consulting with his party, supporters, and agents before making a final decision on whether to challenge the election result at the tribunal.
We are currently comparing the data from polling units with what was uploaded on INEC’s IReV portal. After that, we will make a categorical statement on our next step. Whatever decision we take will involve those 99,000 patriotic voters who stood for truth, he assured.
As consultations continue, Prince Dr Nicholas Ukachukwu, MHR, FNIPR. reaffirmed his commitment to justice and the collective aspiration of Ndi Anambra, insisting that the will of the people must never be subverted by power or money.
