Police Arrest Fake Delegates at Anambra APC Primary Poll
Delegates tip Andy Uba for victory, as PDP denies compromise ahead of Monday primary
About 25 persons suspected to be fake delegates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were arrested yesterday by the police at the venue of the Anambra gubernatorial primary election of the party in Awka.
THISDAY gathered that 19 persons were attempting to gain accreditation at the venue when they were detected by party officials, who alerted the police for their arrest. Six other persons were also later arrested at the venue for finding their way into the venue, even as they were not delegates.
Our correspondent gathered that all 25 suspects were youths who were working for various aspirants of the party as thugs, with the intention of disrupting the conduct of the election to favour their principals.
A senior police officer, who spoke to THISDAY on condition of anonymity, confirmed this, saying that despite warnings by the state police commissioner, some aspirants had stubbornly secured the services of political thugs.
The state police command’s spokesperson, Mrs. Nkeiruka Nwode, could not confirm the arrest as her phone rang without any reply.
As at the time of filling this report, voting for the primary election was yet to commence, but some party delegates who spoke to our correspondent fa- voured the candidacy of Senator Andy Uba.
One of the delegates, who simply identified himself as Arinze said, “I think the powersthat-be in the party are not favourably disposed to Andy Uba picking the ticket, but the truth is that he has ‘settled’ every one of the delegates, and I think he will emerge by the time elections are declared.”
Meanwhile, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State has denied allegation of compromise in Monday’s primary election of the party, saying that anyone peddling such rumour was merely playing politics.
This is coming on the heels of allegations by some members of the party that the process has been compromised as the delegates’ list has been doctored to favour some aspirants.
Caretaker chairman of the party in Anambra, Prof. ABC Nwosu, who briefed journalists on the plans of the party, said adequate arrangements have been made to ensure that the election is hitch free.
He said, “We are in detailed preparation for our primary which comes up on Monday. We have arranged two venues for ac- creditation and voting. We have made adequate arrangement for security to ensure no breach of peace even though we don’t anticipate there will be breach of peace.”
Nwosu said the Chairman of the panel for the conduct of the primary, Governor Dave Umahi, was expected Saturday in the state with three of his members and the Zonal Chairman to hold a meeting with Caretaker Committee for a review of the arrangement for a transparent primary.
He said arrangement for identification, accreditation and voting are being undertaken under cover to ensure there is no leakage and emergence of an acceptable candidate that will be pleasing to the people of the state.
“The process has so far been fair, and we are not anticipating any trouble. We have heard of several rumours of people being bought, but I want to assure you that it is not true. It is impossible. I am not saying it for anyone to agree or not, but I am saying it because I know that it cannot happen. I did not collect money from anybody to favour a particular candidate. I am a decent person and wouldn’t want to stain my name,” Nwosu said.