The Anambra South Senatorial by-election held on Saturday, August 16, 2025, has sparked controversy as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Azuka Okwuosa, rejected the declared results, alleging widespread irregularities and intimidation.
According to results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer, Prof. Frank Ojiako, the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Emmanuel Nwachukwu, emerged winner with 90,408 votes. Okwuosa of the APC came second with 19,847 votes, while the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Donald Amamgbo, polled 2,889 votes.
However, addressing a press conference in Oraifite, Ekwusigo Local Government Area, on Sunday, Okwuosa described the exercise as “a charade” and “a rape on the people’s mandate,” accusing the ruling APGA and the state government of using state security outfits to tilt the process in their favour.
“Saturday’s election in all seven local government areas that make up Anambra South lacked integrity, competence, neutrality, and moral standing. It was a total charade and deliberate sabotage where the state government and APGA used the state security apparatus to intimidate voters and manipulate the process,” Okwuosa said.
The APC candidate specifically accused the state-backed security outfit, Operation Udo-ga-chi, of colluding with political actors to harass voters and disrupt voting, despite the Nigerian Police banning the group from participating in the elections.
He alleged that over 300 armed operatives of the outfit invaded polling areas across the senatorial district and even laid siege to his residence. According to him, he narrowly cast his vote before the operatives arrived.
Okwuosa further claimed that his warnings about possible intimidation were ignored, accusing Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration of failing in its duty to protect lives and property.
“The conduct of the by-election was a complete rape of democracy. I have no doubt in my mind that I won the election, but the process was deliberately sabotaged. All incidents were captured on CCTV, and I urge my supporters to remain calm and not take the law into their hands,” he added.
The APC candidate maintained that the alleged irregularities occurred across all seven LGAs in the senatorial zone, including Orumba North, Orumba South, Aguata, Nnewi North, Nnewi South, and Ekwusigo.
APGA Responds
In a swift reaction, APGA dismissed Okwuosa’s allegations as baseless. The party’s Publicity Secretary, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, described the APC candidate’s claims as “the rant of a sore loser,” insisting that the outcome of the election reflected the will of the people.
“Is APC even in Anambra State? Okwuosa is just waking up from a pretentious sleep to the reality of their nonexistence in this state. This election has reaffirmed one thing—Anambra is APGA land,” Opara said.
He alleged that Okwuosa himself attempted to compromise the process by hijacking electoral officials and materials, which the youths of his Oraifite community resisted.
Opara further accused the APC of engaging in violence, claiming that the party’s governorship candidate assaulted the State Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Felix Odimegwu, on election day—a development he said was under investigation.
“For a party that came with all forms of malpractice to subvert the will of the people, it is nothing short of travesty to turn around and cry foul. Our lawyers are already reviewing these criminal activities, and legal steps will be taken accordingly. At the end of the day, the will of the people prevailed,” Opara stated.
What Next?
While INEC has declared Nwachukwu the winner, the APC’s rejection of the outcome sets the stage for possible legal battles. The development has further heightened political tension in Anambra South, with both parties trading accusations of electoral malpractice and violence.