APGA Reps Primaries: More allegations emerge over brazen rigging in Aguata [VIDEO]

~ Stakeholders insist exercise marred by chaos, intimidation, forged voters’ register

By Ifeizu Joe 

The All Progressives Grand Alliance, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), House of Representatives primary election for Aguata Federal Constituency in Anambra State was reportedly overwhelmed by allegations of intimidation, manipulation, and electoral irregularities.

The contest, widely seen as a two-horse race, featured Dr. Chibueze Ofobuike, Chairman of Aguata Local Government Area, and Afam Ezenwafor, leader of the Afamation Movement Worldwide.

Prior to the exercise, the Governor of Anambra State, Charles Chukwuma Soludo, had repeatedly maintained that the government had no preferred aspirant for the federal constituency seat. The governor reportedly reiterated his neutral stance during separate meetings with party stakeholders across the constituency.

Despite this position, allegations surfaced that the governor’s name was being invoked by some interests in support of Dr. Ofobuike’s candidacy. The development reportedly prompted the Chairman of the National Assembly Electoral Panel, Victor Agunzi, SAN, to issue a clarification stressing that party members were free to vote for candidates of their choice during the primaries.

The statement was said to have dispelled rumours suggesting that the governor had endorsed any aspirant.

However, following the clarification, fresh allegations of manipulation and intimidation reportedly emerged in parts of the constituency.

Sources within the party alleged that names of Electoral Officers and Assistant Electoral Officers earlier trained for the exercise were replaced shortly before voting commenced. There were also claims that registers of party members were altered in some wards, with significant reductions allegedly observed in the number of eligible voters listed.

At Ezinifite Civic Centre, one of the venues for the ward primary election, supporters of Afam Ezenwafor alleged that some government officials, accompanied by heavily armed security operatives, disrupted the exercise and chased away party members perceived to be loyal to the aspirant.

Similar allegations were reported in parts of Umuchu and Achina Ward I, where some party members claimed they were harassed, assaulted, denied access to voting venues, or prevented from participating in the exercise on account of their perceived political alignment.

Video clips and voice recordings purportedly documenting some of the incidents have since circulated widely across social media platforms and other virtual spaces.

Observers have expressed concern that internal party elections, ordinarily regarded as democratic family affairs meant to produce credible candidates for the general elections, may have been undermined by acts capable of damaging public confidence in the electoral process.

Concerns were also raised over allegations that some party members were dispossessed of their mobile phones and electronic devices in attempts to prevent recordings of the incidents.

Stakeholders have called on the national leadership of All Progressives Grand Alliance to launch a thorough investigation into the allegations, including the review of the circulating video and audio evidence. They further urged the party to ensure that any individual found culpable is held accountable in accordance with party regulations and democratic principles.