APGA National Chairman Defends By-Election In Anambra State

 

Written by Nduka Anyanwu 

ABUJA: During a recent appearance on Arise News Prime Time on August 27th, 2025, APGA National Chairman Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa defended the credibility of the August 16 by-elections. He dismissed allegations of electoral malpractice as unfounded and driven by opposition propaganda. 

Ezeokenwa emphasized that election observers and stakeholders regarded the elections, especially in Anambra South, as transparent, credible, and seamless, noting that over 95% of polling units received election materials early in the day. 

He personally participated in the process, from distributing election materials to collating results, and described the election as one of the most credible he had witnessed, commending INEC for effective logistics.

 He accused the opposition, particularly APC in Anambra, of raising false alarms due to their lack of grassroots support and political structure, especially as the November 8 gubernatorial election approaches. 

Ezeokenwa clarified that INEC’s dedicated portal was available for all parties to upload their agents, but APC failed to meet the deadline, leading to disqualification from accreditation. He stated that other parties like PDP, LP, ADC, and YPP successfully uploaded their agents, and that APC's claims were simply excuses for their anticipated failure.

The APGA leader also condemned what he described as a serious breach of democratic norms by APC’s senatorial candidate, Hon. Azuka Okwuosa, who allegedly abducted INEC officials and took them to his residence in Oraifite. 

He highlighted videos showing distressed INEC staff calling for help from Okwuosa’s compound and called for his immediate arrest and investigation, stressing that such acts are criminal and unacceptable. 

Furthermore, Ezeokenwa accused APC’s governorship candidate, Nicholas Ukachukwu, of harassing and threatening INEC officials, including physically assaulting a State Commissioner at a polling unit after attempting to bribe officials to alter results. 

He condemned these acts of desperation, emphasizing that politics must not devolve into criminality.

He reaffirmed that APGA is the political soul of Anambra, deeply rooted in the state’s identity, especially under the transformational leadership of Governor Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo.

 On proposals to create additional electoral bodies, Ezeokenwa warned that such ideas would only increase governance costs and suggested Nigeria should focus on streamlining existing agencies for efficiency.

When asked about the party’s plans for the 2027 presidential election, he stated that APGA would make collective decisions at the appropriate time, in the best interest of Nigeria.

 Reassuring Nigerians about APGA’s commitment to credible elections, he praised the just-concluded by-elections as proof that free, fair, and credible elections are achievable in Nigeria. He urged INEC to maintain logistics efficiency for the upcoming elections and warned politicians against actions that could undermine democracy.

Ezeokenwa concluded by reaffirming that APGA remains the party of the people and is prepared for the forthcoming polls, emphasizing that Nigerians deserve leaders chosen through credible and transparent processes, not through desperation, propaganda, or criminality.

  Nduka Anyanwu, SA, Media to APGA          National Chairman.