By Kamsi Anayo, Awka
Tension flared at Sen. Uche Ekwunife’s polling unit on Saturday when suspected thugs allegedly hired by the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) attempted to disrupt the voting process.
The incident occurred at Regal Secondary School, Aguukwu Nri, where the deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ekwunife, cast her vote.
Eyewitnesses said that the thugs stormed the polling unit in an apparent attempt to prevent the peaceful conduct of the election.
However, the timely intervention of the Nri youths and security operatives on the ground thwarted their plans.
Their swift action restored calm and allowed voting to resume after a brief suspension of the process.
Despite the restored order, reports indicated widespread vote buying across several polling units in the area.
Representatives of major political parties were seen openly giving money to voters in exchange for their support.
Speaking after casting her vote at Polling Unit 009, Regal Secondary School, Nri, Sen. Ekwunife decried the high level of electoral malpractice, especially the rampant vote buying that characterized the exercise.
“There is an urgent need for my colleagues and the relevant authorities to take more drastic action against vote buying in Nigeria.
“If this menace is not checked, it will become almost impossible for competent and capable individuals to emerge as leaders and serve their people effectively.”she said.
The former lawmaker further accused Gov. Charles Soludo of prioritizing political manipulation over governance.
“What is happening in Anambra State today is unfortunate. Instead of providing good governance, Governor Soludo is busy corrupting the system through monetary inducement to secure votes for his re-election,” Ekwunife alleged.
She added that before her arrival at the polling center, over 100 thugs allegedly loyal to the governor had been deployed to disrupt the process.
“As a politician who has remained grounded in my community and contributed to its development even without holding an executive position, I could not allow such intimidation. I am proud that the people stood their ground and resisted these anti-democratic forces,” she stated.
Ekwunife commended the courage of Nri youths and the professionalism of the police officers who ensured that the will of the people prevailed.
