With less than 48 hours to the Anambra governorship election, Afam Ogene, leader of the Labour Party caucus in the House of Representatives, has accused the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Governor Chukwuma Soludo of attempting to intimidate voters ahead of Saturday’s poll.
Ogene, who represents Ogbaru Federal Constituency, made the allegation in Awka on Thursday, claiming that some residents were being threatened to vote for the ruling party or risk being excluded from state projects and benefits. He described the development as a threat to free choice and a breach of democratic principles.
The lawmaker urged the people of Ogbaru and other parts of Anambra to turn out and vote according to their conscience, stressing that elections must reflect the will of the people, not fear or coercion.
He also criticised the state government for allegedly abandoning Ogbaru, which he described as an oil-producing area suffering from poor road infrastructure. According to him, the bad state of the area’s only major road has made life harder for farmers and traders, limiting access to markets and slowing economic activities.
Ogene warned that no citizen should be forced to support any political party in exchange for public services, adding that such tactics weaken trust in the electoral process. His remarks come amid growing political tension in the state as major parties intensify campaigns ahead of the November 8 election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has maintained that all preparations are in place for the election, while security agencies have been deployed across the state to ensure peace during and after the poll.