LP Lawmakers: Soludo Plots to Unleash Agunechemba, Ndi Aka Odo to Intimidate Voters in Tomorrow’s Polls

~ Allegation laughable and unfounded — Law Mefor

By Tony Okafor, Awka

The Anambra State Labour Party (LP) Caucus in the National Assembly has accused Governor Chukwuma Soludo of plotting to deploy non-state security operatives and political thugs—including the Agunechemba security outfit and revenue enforcers known as ndi aka odo—to influence Saturday’s bye-elections in the state.

The elections are for the Onitsha North 1 State Constituency seat in the House of Assembly and the Anambra South Senatorial Zone.

In a statement issued in Awka on Friday, the LP Caucus—comprising two senators and six House of Representatives members—alleged that the governor and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) had perfected plans to use state-backed security outfits and touts to intimidate voters opposed to the ruling party.

“Information at our disposal indicates that Governor Chukwuma Soludo and his APGA have concluded plans to deploy men of the state’s security outfit, Udogachi, crude revenue enforcers known as ndi aka odo, and other non-state actors to take over various voting points for the bye-elections,” the statement read.

“The plan is to use these government-controlled agents to scare away prospective voters opposed to APGA from the polling units.”

The lawmakers said allowing the governor to control security in an election where his party is a major contender would confer “undue advantage” on APGA.

They called on national security chiefs—including the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Army Staff, the General Officer Commanding 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, and the heads of the DSS and NSCDC—to fully deploy personnel to the polls to ensure safety and restore voter confidence.

Describing the polls as a “litmus test” for Nigeria’s commitment to free and fair elections, the Caucus also accused the APGA-led government of victimising the LP candidate for Onitsha North 1, a widow whose late husband—then the sitting member—was kidnapped and killed.

Signatories to the statement include Senator Victor Umeh, Senator Tony Nwoye, Rt. Hon. George Ozodinobi, Hon. Afam Ogene, Hon. Emeka Idu, Hon. (Prof.) Lilian Orogbu, Hon. Peter Anekwe, and Hon. Uchenna Okonkwo.S

State Government’s Reaction

Reacting, the State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, dismissed the allegations as “laughable and unfounded.”

“Even armed police personnel are not allowed inside polling places. So what are they talking about? They are just afraid of their own shadows,” Mefor said.

He argued that the Labour Party’s political momentum ended after the 2023 general elections and claimed the opposition lacks the capacity to win either Saturday’s bye-elections or the November 8 governorship poll.

“They know this, and that is their fear. Ndi Aka Odo and Agunechemba are not part of election duties. But if the opposition is planning to use thugs to rig the elections, sorry will be their name, because that is a crime. In such a case, Agunechemba, the police, and others will intervene,” Mefor added.