Soludo Alleges Plot to Manipulate Election Results in Anambra Poll
Governor of Anambra State and candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has raised concerns about an alleged plan to rig the ongoing governorship election in the state.
Soludo made the allegation on Saturday after casting his vote at Polling Unit 002, Umuezeadigo Street, Isuofia, in Aguata Local Government Area.
Speaking with journalists, the governor claimed that a certain political party had already prepared results ahead of collation.
“The only thing we hear that is actually a concern, and we hope won’t happen, is that one party (he laughs) has written results to swap during the collation process,” he said.
He further alleged that the party was working with some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to delay uploading polling unit results in order to create room for manipulation.
“We hear they have even had meetings with INEC not to upload the results so that they can have the opportunity to manipulate the results,” Soludo said.
Despite his concerns, the governor expressed confidence in the electoral system and the vigilance of voters.
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“But we have confidence that the system will sort it all out. Our people are vigilant, organised and united. We will follow the process from the polling unit to collation at the ward and from the ward to local governments and to the state. Once the system works, we do not doubt that we are gonna win the 21 local governments,” he stated.
Sixteen candidates are contesting the election, including Soludo of APGA; Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC); Jude Ezenwafor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Sir Paul Chukwuma of the Young Progressives Party (YPP); and Dr George Moghalu of the Labour Party (LP).
According to INEC, 2,802,790 registered voters are expected to exercise their franchise across 5,718 polling units in the state’s 21 local government areas.
