Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, on Saturday cast his ballot in the ongoing senatorial bye-election for the Anambra South Senatorial District at his polling unit, Ofiyi Square, 002, Isuofia, in Aguata Local Government Area.
Speaking after exercising his franchise, Soludo commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its preparedness and the smooth conduct of the exercise, noting that electoral materials arrived early and voting was orderly.
“I have just exercised my franchise. I am quite impressed with the conduct of the election. There is also an impressive turnout. Everybody is going about voting peacefully,” Soludo told journalists. “I want to thank INEC for being on top of their game as usual. Basically, everything is going well. No rancour, no fighting.”
However, the governor raised concerns over alleged violence in parts of the state, accusing the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate of attacking the Commissioner for Environment, Felix Odimegwu, with thugs in Ezinifite, Nnewi South Local Government Area.
He described the incident as “unfortunate,” stressing that political actors must allow the people’s will to prevail. “Why would someone leave his polling unit to other people’s polling unit? He should let the will of the people prevail,” he said.
Our correspondent, who monitored the exercise, observed that voter turnout across Aguata and surrounding areas was impressive. Security operatives, including personnel of the Nigerian Army, Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), mounted roadblocks and manned polling units to enforce movement restrictions and ensure peace.
So far, the electoral process across polling stations visited remained largely peaceful.
The bye-election was necessitated by the death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah in 2024, leaving the Anambra South Senatorial seat vacant.
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