…Narrowly Escapes Lynching As Lawmaker, Udemezue, Intervenes.
September 28th 2024 in Ayamellum local government area was a dashed hope as the Anambra State Independent Electorial Commission cancelled the voting process due to alleged irregularities.
EkweAnaedo, gathered that the election was abruptly halted by Mr. Ezeanaekwe Chidi Mark, an Electoral Officer with the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC).
Surrounded by security forces, including the local Divisional Police Officer (DPO), the Department of State Services (DSS), soldiers, and members of the central vigilante group, Mr. Mark cited orders from his commission to abort the ongoing electoral process due to alleged malpractice.
Mr. Mark revealed that the entire set of election result sheets for Anyamelum LGA had been sold to the highest bidder, prompting the cancellation of the election. This triggered outrage among local youths, who accused the electoral officer of corruption and demanded accountability. The situation escalated when the youths, equipped with video evidence, confronted Mr. Mark, who admitted to handing over the result sheets to Mr. Mgbechi Emmanuel Igwebuike, a resident of Amaikwe community in Omor.
The crowd’s anger quickly turned to violence, with the youths attempting to lynch the electoral officer. However, the swift intervention of Hon. Bernard Mmaduaburochukwu Udemezue, a member of the Anambra State House of Assembly, helped de-escalate the situation. Hon. Udemezue’s arrival at the council headquarters prevented the mob from taking matters into their own hands, saving Mr. Mark from potential harm.
Despite the presence of security personnel, the youths refused to release the detained electoral officer, citing distrust in the authorities. They alleged collusion between Mr. Mark and the security officials stationed at the local government headquarters.
As of time of this report, the situation remains tense, with local authorities working to restore order and address the growing concerns surrounding the integrity of the election in Anyamelum LGA.
This incident has raised further questions about the credibility of the Anambra State local council election, as similar reports of irregularities have emerged from other areas, putting the overall transparency of the process under scrutiny.
Efforts to reach other stakeholders in the local government proofed abortive as at time of filing this report.
Statement By Engr. Chigozie Igwe, Chairman, People’s Democratic Party, Anambra State.
“The ongoing local government elections in Anambra State have descended into chaos, marred by blatant manipulation and outright rigging under Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo’s administration. ANSIEC’s deliberate subversion of democracy undermines its very foundations. The electoral process lacks fairness and transparency, highlighting the urgent need for genuine local government autonomy.
PDP candidates face systemic disenfranchisement, with widespread reports of withheld electoral materials and relocated collation centers to APGA stakeholders’ homes, evading public scrutiny. This manipulation suggests APGA’s fear of PDP’s growing influence. If APGA was truly confident in their grassroots support, there would be no need to rig the elections.
APGA’s actions indicate a lack of faith in their own popularity, and their manipulation deprives the people of Anambra State of their rightful voice. This assault on democracy demands immediate cancellation of the compromised election, which we condemn as a desecration of democratic principles, a waste of taxpayers’ funds, and an elevation of electoral fraud.
The elections are marred by severe irregularities, including withholding of electoral materials, clandestine relocation of critical electoral infrastructure, systematic exclusion of legitimate candidates, and deliberate distortion of democratic outcomes. These actions contravene the Supreme Court ruling, hindering true financial and administrative independence for local government councils.
We demand immediate cancellation of the tainted election, conduct of fresh, transparent polls, and accountability from ANSIEC and the Soludo administration.
The people of Anambra State deserve better.
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