… strategises on how to use security operatives ‘corner’ victory for APGA
Propelled by a vaulting desire to ‘capture’ Ogbaru Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives, Gov. Chukwuma Soludo has, allegedly, directed top officials of his administration to map out strategies for the April 15, 2023 supplementary elections.
At the end of voting on Saturday, February 25, 2023, the Labour Party Candidate, Hon. Afam Ogene, led the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA and the People’s Democratic Party, PDP candidates to second and third places, respectively.
Although Hon. Ogene led both candidates by over 1,000 votes, it was not enough to declare him outright winner, as his margin of lead was smaller than the number of registered voters in units where elections did not hold within the federal constituency.
Apparently desirous of carrying out the ‘Operation Capture Ogbaru’ charge, top government functionaries led by the Political Adviser to the Governor, Alex Obiogbolu, met with some stakeholders from Ogbaru Local Government Area, whereupon a decision was reached to use security operatives to scare away stalwarts of other contending political parties.
“At a meeting held at the office of the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Collins Nwabunwanne, the APGA chieftains agreed to make available wrist bands that would grant only APGA supporters unfettered access to the polling area,” a source close to the meeting disclosed.
Among those who attended the meeting were the Director General of the APGA campaign in Okpoko area, Kenneth Akwuobi, popular as Okwulora, the Councillor representing Ward 5, Frank Okorie, Chief Louis Ipere, chairman, Nkpikpa Landlords Association, David Ezike, and one Ikpe, an Iyiowa.
Incidentally, the vexed issue of security formed the kernel of deliberations at a stakeholders’ parley convened by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC Awka, for political parties involved in the Ogbaru Federal Constituency supplementary elections.
