The South East Woman Leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Barrister Chioma Anyanwu, has lashed out at the conduct of the just-concluded Onitsha North State Constituency bye-election, insisting that the outcome announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is a fraud.
Speaking to journalists in Awka, Barr. Anyanwu commended the ADC candidate, Mrs. Azuka Justina Amaka, for what she described as “a wonderful outing, a display of resilience and capacity” in the face of massive irregularities.
She said Azuka “deserves our kudos and commendation because the outcome of the election is not a reflection of a free and fair contest.”
She accused the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) of “high-powered manipulation” of the polls, warning that what INEC declared in favour of APGA’s Mrs. Ifeoma Azikiwe is not the true result of the election.
“The announcement is surprising to many in Onitsha after trooping out massively and voting for ADC only to find out that their hopes have been dashed by massive rigging of the highest order,” she said.
Describing the process as “compromised and unacceptable,” Anyanwu said the election was “marred with irregularities which I condemn outrightly and term as a big slap to our nascent democracy.”
She added: “How can glaring irregularities which were reported at the grassroots be swept under the carpet, and INEC still went ahead to announce a different result? ADC has been shortchanged in Anambra.”
She did not mince words, accusing APGA of openly buying votes to tilt the exercise.
“The Anambra bye-election is riddled by vote buying which was openly used by APGA to induce voters. This development is embarrassing and condemnable too,” she declared.
She further rejected the INEC declaration, arguing that it “cannot be the true reflection of the outcome of total votes cast at the polling units in a free and fair election.”
According to her, “We have information on a good note, evidence of high-level manipulation and vote buying by APGA.”
