Anambra State Election: Rigging Allegations Surface After APGA's Dominant Victory in House of Assembly Elections

Strategic Insights -

The 2015 House of Assembly elections in Anambra state have sparked intense controversy, with opposition parties accusing the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of widespread electoral fraud. The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) have cried foul over the election, citing irregularities and allegations of rigging.

Senator Chris Ngige, a key opposition figure, has expressed his deep concern over the election, stating that the card reader system failed to function in the entire state, allowing for manual accreditation and suspicious counting of results. He alleged that PDP politicians used military and police personnel to intimidate INEC staff and manipulate the results, citing cases of collation agents being held hostage in Idemili North and Awka North.

The APGA national chairman, Chief Victor Umeh, has also come out guns blazing, stating that he has evidence of results being concocted at night, without build-up from ward, local government, and constituency collation centers. He rejected the results as "bearing no relationship with polling unit results," and vowed to take the case to the tribunal.

In contrast, the PDP has notoriously failed to win a single seat in the election, with all 25 constituencies being won by APGA candidates. The national chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, has attributed this remarkable victory to the party's commitment to fair and transparent elections, saying that "with 25 seats to APGA and none to PDP, it is clear establishment that APGA is in firm control of Anambra State."

Key Takeaways:

  • The 2015 House of Assembly elections in Anambra state have been marred by allegations of electoral fraud, with opposition parties accusing PDP of rigging.
  • The card reader system failed to function in the entire state, allowing for manual accreditation and suspicious counting of results.
  • Senator Chris Ngige alleged that PDP politicians used military and police personnel to intimidate INEC staff and manipulate the results.
  • APGA national chairman, Chief Victor Umeh, has rejected the results, citing evidence of results being concocted at night without build-up from ward, local government, and constituency collation centers.
  • All 25 constituencies were won by APGA candidates, with PDP failing to win a single seat.

Statistics:

  • 100% of constituencies were won by APGA candidates.
  • 0% of constituencies were won by PDP candidates.
  • The card reader system failed to function in the entire state.

Sources:

  • Daily Independent (AllAfrica.com)
  • All Progressives Congress (APC) official press release
  • All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) official statement
  • Senator Chris Ngige's statement on the election
  • Chief Victor Umeh's statement on the election