LP, APGA trade blame over plans to rig Anambra bye-elections

The Anambra State Labour Party Caucus in the National Assembly has expressed grave reservations over alleged moves by the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, to deploy non-state security personnel and touts in Saturday’s bye-elections in the state.

The elections are for the Onitsha North 1 State Assembly seat and the Anambra South senatorial zone.

In a statement issued in Awka, the Anambra State capital, on Friday, members of the caucus, which comprises two senators and six House of Representatives members, called on the nation’s security chiefs to assist the Nigerian Police in providing a serene atmosphere for the citizenry to vote in the elections without fear of molestation.

The statement was signed by Senator Victor Umeh, Senator Tony Nwoye, and six House of Representatives members, including George Ozodinobi, Afam Ogene, Emeka Idu, Prof. Lilian Orogbu, Peter Anekwe, and Uchenna Okonkwo.

It read, “Information at our disposal indicates that Governor Chukwuma Soludo and his All Progressives Grand Alliance has concluded plans to deploy men of the state’s security outfit, Udo-ga-chi; crude revenue enforcers, popular as ndi Aka odo and sundry non-state actors to take over the various voting points for the bye elections.

“The plan is to use these state government-controlled agents to scare away prospective voters not aligned to APGA from the polling units.

“In an election where candidates of APGA are major contenders, it would be foolhardy to allow the Governor to take charge of security arrangements, especially as that would confer undue advantage on his party.