By Karen James
The Anambra State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Felix Odimegwu, was on Saturday assaulted by suspected political thugs led by Ukachukwu Ikukuoma during the senatorial by-election in Anambra South.
Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, who spoke shortly after casting his vote at polling unit 002,
Ofiyi Square, Isuofia ward in Aguata Local Government Area, confirmed the incident.
“Just in the last few minutes, I got a terrible report from Nnewi South,” Soludo said.
“The commissioner was in pain and crying that the APC governorship candidate in Anambra took a truckload of police and thugs and was going from one polling unit to another, beating up people, including the commissioner. That is shocking but not unexpected. When you see you are losing, you begin to unleash violence to disrupt the electoral process.”
The governor described the assault as an act of desperation, stressing that the will of the people must prevail.
“Let the people vote and let their vote count. That is what we are asking. We are confident that at the end of the day, the people’s will must prevail,” he added.
Soludo, however, commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the overall conduct of the exercise, noting that the process had been seamless across most parts of the state.
“From reports I have gotten from around the state – Anambra South and Onitsha – it has been relatively peaceful. I’m impressed that people came out to exercise their civic duties of voting for candidates of their choice. This is democracy in action,” he said.
The by-election was held following the death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who represented Anambra South until July 2024. Meanwhile, counting of ballots had begun in some polling units as at press time.
