The Anambra South Senatorial District bye-election turned violent on Saturday after the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, and the Commissioner for Environment, Engr. Felix Odumegwu, were allegedly attacked during voting.
Eyewitnesses said the Deputy Governor was held hostage by irate youths who accused him of attempting to buy votes. The Commissioner for Environment, who was reportedly in his company, was also assaulted in the process.
Speaking shortly after casting his vote in Isuofia, Aguata Local Government Area, Governor Charles Soludo accused APC governorship candidate Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu of sponsoring the attack.
“This is nothing but an act of thuggery. APC’s Nicholas Ukachukwu sent his men to attack government officials. It is shameful and undemocratic,” Soludo declared.
A video footage seen by POLITICS NIGERIA, captured the moment, the Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Nicholas Ukachukwu faced off with Dr. Ibezim.
The Defiant Ukachukwu was heard threatening the Deputy Governor that he will ‘burn’ his cars.
The National Publicity Secretary of APGA, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, also condemned the incident, calling it a preview of what Anambra might face under Ukachukwu’s leadership.
“That shows you that thugs are out to govern Anambra State, and that is the kind of governor that he would be if, on the unlikely event, he is elected into office,” Opara said.
He added that Engr. Odumegwu narrowly escaped death thanks to security operatives at his Ezinifite, Aguata residence.
In a swift response, Comrade Tony Uche, an aide to Nicholas Ukachukwu, denied the accusations. Instead, he claimed the Deputy Governor and Commissioner stormed Ukachukwu’s Osumenyi community with heavily armed vigilante groups.
“If you see the number of vigilante personnel that came with them — over twenty trucks — to hijack the election, you will understand why the youths resisted them,” Uche argued.
“Ukachukwu never ordered anyone to attack the Deputy Governor and the Commissioner for Environment. The youths only resisted intimidation in Osumenyi,” he added.