By peace Udugba
Anambra State Governor and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has raised concerns about a potential plot to rig the ongoing gubernatorial election. Speaking after casting his vote, Soludo claimed that the plotters plan to swap election results during the collation process.
Allegations of Electoral Malpractice
Soludo alleged that a party has written results to swap during collation and has had meetings with INEC officials to delay uploading results for manipulation. He stated, “The only thing we hear that is actually a concern, and we hope won’t happen, is that one party (he laughs) has written results to swap during the collation process. We hear they have even had meetings with INEC not to upload the results so that they can have the opportunity to manipulate the results.”
Confidence in Electoral System
Despite his concerns, Soludo expressed confidence in the electoral system to deliver a free and fair election. “But we have confidence that the system will sort it all out. Our people are vigilant, organised and united. We will follow the process from the polling unit to collation at the ward, and from the ward to local governments and to the state. Once the system works, we do not doubt that we are gonna win the 21 local governments,” he said.
The incumbent governor is contesting against 15 other candidates, including Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. George Moghalu of the Labour Party (LP), and Jude Ezenwafor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Two female candidates, Ms. Chioma Ifemeludike of AAC and Ndidi Olieh of National Rescue Movement (NRM), are also vying for the top seat.
According to INEC, 2,802,790 registered voters are expected to cast their ballots across 5,718 polling units in the state’s 21 local government areas.
