Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, the governorship candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in last Saturday’s Anambra election, has denounced Prof. Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), calling the entire process tainted.
Speaking to reporters in Awka on Sunday, Ukachukwu asserted that the poll was tainted by pervasive violence, intimidation, and attacks directed at his supporters.
The APC candidate claimed that many of his followers suffered severe injuries and lost personal belongings as a result of being brutalized during the poll.
He maintained that the election could not accurately represent the people’s actual desire under such circumstances.
Ukachukwu disclosed that in order to decide on the next course of action, he has started consulting with party stakeholders and supporters.
“We thank members of our team, they are all brave soldiers, they are all winners in different ways, including those who were intimidated in many ways, including having their houses and cars burned, and even my deputy, who was intimidated into fleeing for her life when they threatened her,” he stated. These individuals are all winners.
“I phoned you to let you know that we are talking to our agents and gathering information about what transpired that day. We will discuss it when the time is appropriate.
“All of these things are not worth discussing right now. Our opponents kidnapped some of my agents and held them until after the election. We are now gathering information from both of our party agents, and I need to speak with my party to determine the next course of action.
Ukachukwu claimed that money intended to pay party agents was referred to as “vote-buying money,” and that his supporter was kidnapped and held until after the election.
“They arrested my supporter who was supposed to pay our agents, claiming he was carrying money meant for vote buying,” he continued. Can I purchase votes to overthrow a current governor who controls the state’s finances? You can see who bought votes by looking at the election results. The number of votes I received would have changed if I had purchased a vote.
“Go verify; every person detained was an APC member. Visit the young woman whose home was set on fire in Anambra East; her only transgression was believing in our party and canvassing for our triumph.
However, it is even remarkable for me to have 99,000 valid votes. These individuals cast their votes because Anambra needs to proceed. I even received enough votes to let them know that the APC in Anambra can no longer be disregarded.
“I will consult with the 99,000 people who voted for us regarding our next course of action. They are the ones who think Anambra must be superior. Our agents kept their position and worked for us despite the fact that we were unable to pay them because they had abducted my supporter.
“They cannot claim that APC does not exist in Anambra today because 99,000 is not a small number.”
