The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the Anambra South Senatorial by-election, Azuka Okwuosa, has rejected the outcome of the election held on Saturday, August 16, 2025, across the seven local government areas of the zone.
Okwuosa, who addressed the media in Oraifite, Ekwusigo LGA on Sunday, alleged widespread rigging, voter intimidation, and collusion between security forces and electoral officials. He accused the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Anambra State government of orchestrating what he described as an “electoral charade” and a “rape of democracy.”
In the official results announced by INEC Returning Officer Prof. Frank Ojiako, APGA’s Emmanuel Nwachukwu emerged winner with 90,408 votes. Okwuosa followed with 19,847 votes, while Donald Amamgbo of the African Democratic Congress scored 2,889 votes.
Okwuosa claimed the election lacked credibility and accused APGA of deploying armed operatives under the state-backed security outfit “Operation Udo-ga-chi” to intimidate voters and disrupt the voting process. He alleged the operatives also laid siege to his residence, preventing him from casting his vote—though he noted he managed to vote before their arrival.
He said, “What we witnessed was a deliberate sabotage. Over 300 operatives of Operation Udo-ga-chi, many masked and armed with AK-47s, knives, and axes, invaded all seven LGAs of Anambra South.”
He further accused top local officials, including the Oraifite Town Union President-General, the Ekwusigo LGA Chairman, and a state assembly member, of collaborating in the alleged intimidation efforts. He described the by-election as “a total failure of governance and democratic norms” under Governor Chukwuma Soludo, claiming the state had descended into insecurity and lawlessness.
Okwuosa said the APC had raised concerns before the polls, warning that APGA planned to use state machinery to influence the outcome. Despite the provocations, he urged his supporters to remain calm and avoid retaliation.
In response, APGA’s Publicity Secretary, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, dismissed Okwuosa’s claims as “the rant of a sore loser,” declaring that “Anambra is APGA land.” He alleged that it was the APC that attempted to manipulate the process, including hijacking electoral materials and assaulting state officials.
Opara said, “For a party that tried to subvert the will of the people to now cry foul is laughable. Saturday’s election reaffirmed the people’s choice.”
He added that APGA’s legal team is reviewing incidents from the election and hinted at possible legal actions against the APC candidate and others.