Jubilation galore as APGA clears all seats in Anambra bye-election amidst accusation of vote buying

By Alphonsus Nweze, Onitsha

Members of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State have been in joyous mood following the sweeping of two seats contested for during the last Saturday bye-election.
The reigning party in the State inspite of allegations of vote buying won the Anambra South Senatorial seat and Onitsha North 1 State House of Assembly seat.
Chief Emmanuel Nwachukwu of APGA polled 90, 408 votes to thrash Azuka Okwuosa of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who scored 19, 812 votes and Donald Amangbo of ADC, who scored 2, 889.
In Onitsha North I State Constituency, the Returning Officer, Prof. Ibiam Ekpe of Federal University of Technology, Owerri, announced that Ifeoma Mimi Azikiwe of APGA won with 7, 774 votes.
The widow of late Justice Azuka who occupied the seat before he was kidnapped and killed came second with 1,909 votes.
APC ‘s Chuka Ojekwe got 377 votes, while Mrs Njideka Ndiwe of YPP got 655 votes.
But in her reaction Justina Amaka Azuka,ADC candidate said the election was marred by vote buying.
Mrs Azuka said that people called to tell her that some people were using money to buy votes at some remote quarters in Onitsha Inland town.
She also alleged that thugs beat up people, vandalized voting areas apart from the fact that her opponents used money to buy votes.
APC also alleged vote buying in some Local Government Areas and communities in Anambra South Senatorial zones during the poll on Saturday.