Anambra Poll: APC Candidate Ukachukwu Says Party Reviewing Election Outcome

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in last Saturday’s Anambra election, Nicholas Ukachukwu, has said his campaign team is still reviewing reports from party agents before taking a final position on the outcome of the poll.

Ukachukwu made this known yesterday in Awka while addressing journalists on the aftermath of the election in which the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate and incumbent governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

According to the results announced by the Returning Officer, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, Soludo polled 422,664 votes to defeat his closest rival, Ukachukwu, who garnered 99,445 votes, while the Young Progressives Party (YPP) candidate, Paul Chukwuma, scored 37,753 votes to place third.

Omoregie said the number of registered voters stood at 2,788,864, with 598,229 accredited voters. Total valid votes were 584,054, while 11,244 votes were rejected, bringing the total votes cast to 595,298.

Ukachukwu, however, expressed mixed feelings over the conduct of the election, alleging that APC members and agents were harassed and prevented from exercising their rights in several polling units.

He said:

“From the primaries to the election proper, we made a diligent effort. The election has come and gone, and I commend my campaign council and supporters for their gallantry. However, our members were intimidated by thugs, and some were arrested and kept away until after voting ended.”

The APC flag bearer maintained that the votes recorded by his party were a strong indication that the party had become a formidable force in Anambra politics.

“For the first time, the APC scored nearly 100,000 votes without inducement. Yet, we were the ones accused of vote buying. Can an opposition candidate who is not a sitting governor buy votes?” he queried.

He further alleged that several incidents of violence targeted APC members during the election, including the burning of property belonging to one of his supporters.

“The woman in question defeated them in her polling booth, and they went to burn down her house. Those behind the attack have not been apprehended,” he said.

Ukachukwu stated that he would consult widely with his supporters and party leadership before deciding on the next line of action.

“Whatever step I take, I will carry along the 99,445 voters who supported me. They voted because they believe in a better Anambra. The APC is here, and it has come to stay,” he declared