As Anambra prepares for tightly contested bye-elections in the Onitsha North 1 State Assembly seat and the Anambra South senatorial zone, the Labour Party (LP) Caucus in the National Assembly has raised serious concerns about alleged plans to manipulate the process.
In a joint statement, LP lawmakers accused Governor Chukwuma Soludo and his party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), of plotting to deploy non-state actors, including members of the state-backed security outfit Udogachi, and unregulated revenue enforcers known as Ndi Aka Odo, to influence the outcome of the polls through voter intimidation.
The caucus, which includes Senators Victor Umeh and Tony Nwoye, along with six House of Representatives members, urged top security agencies to intervene to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful election. They specifically called on the National Security Adviser, military leaders, DSS, and the NSCDC to take control of security arrangements, arguing that leaving it in the hands of the state government would compromise the credibility of the election.
"In an election where APGA candidates are key contenders, it is unacceptable for the state government to control security," the lawmakers stated.
They described the upcoming bye-elections as a critical test of Nigeria’s democratic integrity and warned against any attempt to tilt the process in favor of any party. They also highlighted concerns over the Onitsha North race, where the LP is fielding the widow of the late sitting member—whose tragic death has added emotional weight to the contest.
The statement concluded with a call for all stakeholders—security agencies, electoral officials, observers, and the media—to ensure the rules are upheld and the will of the people is respected.
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