The Young Progressives Party, YPP, has boycotted the Anambra State local government elections in Anambra East Local Government Area, alleging violence, intimidation and electoral irregularities.
The local government elections were held across the 21 local government areas of Anambra State on Saturday, with the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, fielding candidates for chairmanship and councillorship positions across the state.
The YPP was the only opposition party reported to have presented candidates in the election, including a chairmanship candidate in Anambra East and councillorship candidates across the 15 wards in the local government area.
Announcing the boycott, the YPP Local Government Collation Agent for Anambra East, Mr. Charles Ifediora, alleged that violence and intimidation prevented the party’s agents and supporters from participating in the exercise.
Ifediora alleged that gunshots were heard in some parts of the area after YPP agents and supporters arrived at their designated locations.
He further claimed that one female member of the party sustained a gunshot injury and was taken to hospital for treatment.
According to him, YPP agents were allegedly prevented from carrying out their duties, making it impossible for the party to effectively participate in the election.
“The situation is appalling. The election was scheduled to take place today, and when our people assembled as planned, all my agents were not allowed. There were several gunshots and one of our party members, a lady, was shot and taken to the hospital,” Ifediora alleged.
He accused the Anambra State Government and the ruling APGA of allegedly creating an environment that discouraged opposition participation, describing the exercise as unacceptable.
Ifediora also alleged that personnel associated with the Agunechemba and Udo Ga-Achi security outfits were deployed to the area and accused them of preventing opposition agents from participating effectively.
The YPP agent said the development was particularly concerning because the party had fielded candidates for all 15 councillorship positions in Anambra East, covering 241 polling units.
Meanwhile, observations by our correspondent as of 1:00 p.m. indicated that voting was not visibly taking place at some locations monitored in Anambra East, Awka and parts of the state capital and its environs.
The allegations surrounding the conduct of the election have raised concerns over opposition participation and the credibility of the exercise in affected areas.
