By Olayinka Owolabi
Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, of allegedly leading thugs to assault the State Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Felix Odimegwu, in Ezinifite, Nnewi South Local Government Area.
Speaking with journalists shortly after casting his vote at his polling unit, Ofiyi Square, 002, Isuofia, Governor Soludo said the incident was one of the reports he received from the field.
Describing the situation as “unfortunate but predictable,” the governor wondered why any candidate would abandon his polling unit to interfere in another area.
“Just in the last few minutes, I got a report that my Commissioner for Environment was beaten up by the APC candidate. Imagine someone leaving his own area to another place to beat up someone,” Soludo said.
“That is what people resort to when they are losing — unleashing violence, beating up a commissioner, and even stopping a woman who was trying to film the incident,” he added.
The governor appealed for calm, urging all stakeholders to allow the will of the people to prevail in the election, which he said is the true beauty of democracy.
Meanwhile, the state elections supervisory officer, AIG Godwin Eze, called on residents to remain peaceful and assured them of adequate security during and after the electoral process.
