APGA Chairman Hails INEC Over Peaceful Anambra Poll, Notes Minor Technical Glitchest

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Barrister Sylvester Ezeokenwa, has applauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its handling of the Anambra governorship election, describing the exercise as largely peaceful and credible despite minor technical and logistical issues.

Speaking to journalists after casting his vote at Immaculate Parish Ward 4, Ezeokenwa said the process had been “smooth and orderly,” except for a few polling units that experienced malfunctioning of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

He confirmed that INEC’s technical teams were promptly deployed to fix the problems, adding that reports of missing result sheets in some areas were also swiftly addressed.

“I must commend our APGA agents across the state for their dedication. We trained them to understand the rules and responsibilities expected of them, and they have performed excellently,” he said.

Ezeokenwa also praised INEC officials for their professionalism and commitment to conducting a transparent election, noting that APGA’s only demand was a free, fair, and credible process.

Commenting on voter turnout, the APGA chairman admitted that participation was relatively low but consistent with the state’s usual pattern.

“There was initial fear that voters might not come out, but Governor Charles Soludo encouraged them to do so. Historically, Anambra records about 20 percent turnout, and today’s participation seems to reflect that trend,” he added.

Meanwhile, in a surprising twist, the Labour Party (LP) lost in the polling unit of its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi. At Polling Unit 019, Agulu Ward 11 in Anaocha Local Government Area, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Nicholas Ukachukwu, won with 73 votes, defeating LP’s George Moghalu, who scored 57 votes. APGA came third with 38 votes.

Obi, who voted earlier in the day at the same unit, decried the widespread vote buying in the election, alleging that voters were being paid between ₦20,000 and ₦30,000.

He lamented that such practices undermined Nigeria’s democracy. “My experience today shows that democracy is deteriorating in our country. Sadly, those who suffer most from bad governance seem to be the ones sustaining it,” Obi said.