By okey alozie
The All Peoples Congress (APC) State Assembly candidate in Ahiazu Mbaise, Dr Ejike Anakani on Monday at his Local Government Area, rejected the outcome of last Saturday’s election in his constituency, describing it as a monumental fraud and disrespect for the wishes of the people. The legal luminary spoke to newsmen who stormed his residence at Ihitte Afor Ukwu to comment on the announcement by electoral officials who declared his PDP opponent as the winner of the election.
The APC candidate who remained calm and composed throughout the session said that what happened was allocation of votes and not a true reflection of the desire of Ahiazu electorate who gave him an overwhelming mandate to represent them in the House of Assembly.
He further described the election in the LGA as a sham, a travesty and the most marred election in Ahiazu Mbaise, with brazen rigging, irregularities, electoral terrorism and intimidation of voters with security elements and PDP thugs. Dr Anakani also informed news reporters that he has already filed his petition to INEC and that his team of lawyers have already commenced gathering evidence to enable them head to the election tribunal immediately. “Information from our agents revealed that I truly won the election.” Anukani disclosed.
Further investigation revealed that attempts by hoodlums to snatch ballot boxes and sensitive materials at Umuediabali Ward were foiled by villagers as security operatives arrested about five suspects.
Dr Anakani who raised eyebrow on the situation condemned in strong terms, the use of thugs by his opponents to disrupt election and commit fraud. He disclosed that there were evidences of fraud in the various places where his opponent scored high votes.
When asked if he and other APC candidates from Mbaise were victims of Ihedioha/Mbaise project, Dr Anakani said they were, because PDP used that amorphous nomenclature to deceive, intimidate and carry out unprecedented electoral fraud which will, according to him, all be decimated as soon as the electoral tribunal resumes sitting. In the meantime, Dr Anakani has urged his supporters to remain calm and not to take laws into their hands.
