Titus Eleweke South East Editor
The Anambra State chapter of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) primary elections for the State House of Assembly, House of Representatives, and Senate has reportedly been overshadowed by allegations of violence, intimidation, and political interference involving powerful figures in the state.
Two operatives of the Agunachemba security outfit are currently receiving treatment at Amaku Teaching Hospital following injuries allegedly sustained during an attack by security personnel attached to the Deputy Governor of Anambra State.
Family members of the victims are said to be praying for their recovery as their condition remains critical.
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At Ward 8 in Awka South Local Government Area, eyewitnesses alleged that local security personnel deployed to maintain order during the primary election were assaulted by aides attached to the Deputy Governor.
Investigations revealed that the Deputy Governor allegedly left his community in Mbaukwu and moved to Awka Ward 8 during the exercise, a move some party members described as an attempt to influence the outcome of the primary election in favour of preferred aspirants.
Several party faithful condemned the development, arguing that it was inappropriate for the Deputy Governor to abandon his ward to interfere in the affairs of another ward.
According to them, such actions undermine internal party democracy and the credibility of the electoral process.
A video currently circulating online reportedly captured parts of the incident and the ensuing confrontation.
Reports made available to Insideoutnews stated that the team leader of Udogachi in Awka South Local Government Area, Mr. Okonyia Kingsley, alongside another operative identified as Felix Numbi, were on official duty when they arrested a suspect, Mr. Obayo, who was allegedly involved in manipulating the primary election in favour of certain aspirants.
Sources disclosed that the suspect was subsequently taken to the local government headquarters for safe custody.
However, the situation allegedly escalated when the Deputy Governor arrived at the venue with his security details. Witnesses claimed that the two operatives who carried out the arrest were allegedly assaulted during the confrontation.
Further allegations indicated that security aides attached to the Deputy Governor destroyed the mobile phones of the Agunachemba operatives while they were carrying out their duties.
Sources also claimed that Mr. Obayo was found in possession of multiple voter cards at the time of his arrest, but the alleged evidence was later destroyed during the incident by the deputy governor security operatives.
It was further gathered that the suspect had allegedly mobilised students from Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), many of whom reportedly did not possess voter cards, to participate in the election before he was intercepted by Udogachi operatives.
Meanwhile, the injured Agunachemba operatives remain hospitalised at Amaku Teaching Hospital following the alleged assault by security personnel attached to the Deputy Governor.
According to sources close to the victims, Mr. Okonyia Kingsley sustained severe injuries and is reportedly struggling to speak clearly due to the extent of the injuries suffered.
Speaking from his hospital bed, one of the affected operatives alleged that the Deputy Governor’s security aides disarmed them, confiscated their weapons, and ordered that they be beaten.
Additional investigations by Insideoutnews allegedly revealed that the Deputy Governor moved across several wards during the primary election in an effort to influence voting patterns and secure victory for preferred aspirants.
A source who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation alleged that the Deputy Governor attempted to manipulate results in favour of loyal candidates.
“The Deputy Governor left his ward in Mbaukwu and came to Awka to influence the results in favour of Obinwankwo and other preferred aspirants. During an argument between his security operatives and Agunachemba personnel, the Deputy Governor allegedly ordered the assault on the Udogachi operatives.
“The Agunachemba security outfit had been officially deployed by the local government authorities to maintain peace during the primary election. However, DSS operatives and security aides attached to the Deputy Governor allegedly joined in assaulting them.
“Two of our personnel who were beaten are currently in critical condition at the hospital,” the source alleged.
Another source currently receiving treatment also accused the Deputy Governor’s security personnel of assault and unlawful seizure of weapons.
Separate allegations further claimed that the Deputy Governor moved from ward to ward during the exercise in an attempt to influence the outcome of the primaries and direct support toward selected candidates.
Critics of the incident argued that if the Deputy Governor genuinely had the interest of the people of Anambra State at heart, he should have allowed the democratic process to proceed without intimidation or interference.
Another video obtained during the investigation reportedly showed a heated confrontation between Agunachemba operatives and security aides attached to the Deputy Governor during the primary election exercise.
The incident has now raised serious political questions within APGA and among residents of Anambra State.
Many observers are asking whether the alleged intimidation, interference, and violence witnessed during the primaries align with Governor Charles Soludo’s repeated promises of transparency, fairness, credibility, and a free and fair primary election process within the party.
