The Anambra South Senatorial by-election aimed at filling the seat left vacant by the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah has been overshadowed by violent incidents and political tension, with accusations and arrests sparking unrest in parts of the constituency.
According to Eko Hot Blog, the Ekwusigo Local Government Area when four polling agents linked to the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Sir Azuka Okwuosa, were reportedly picked up by the local council chairman, allegedly acting in collaboration with a prominent community leader in Ozubulu.
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The incident triggered a protest by local youths, who accused the state’s ruling party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), of using state power to suppress opposition voices and intimidate voters.
In a related development, former Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Rita Maduagwu, alleged that political thugs linked to APGA stormed her polling unit in Ukpor Ward 3,009, disrupting voting and harassing residents.
Similar scenes of unrest were reported in Ward 4, Units 001, 003, and Unit 8, also in Ekwusigo, where APC agents were allegedly whisked away by individuals said to be acting on behalf of the government.
The unrest has heightened political tension in both Nnewi and Ekwusigo LGAs, with some voters expressing concern over the fairness and transparency of the ongoing by-election.
Security forces were said to have been deployed to the flashpoints to restore calm and ensure that the electoral process could continue without further escalation.
However, the National Publicity Secretary of APGA, Ejiomofor Opara, has refuted the allegations, dismissing them as baseless. According to him, no official of APGA or any government agent was involved in any such acts.
He claimed that the APC was simply making up stories of violence and arrests as a distraction, insisting that APGA remained committed to a peaceful and democratic process.
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