The Anambra State chapter of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has congratulated Emma Nwachukwu and Mimi Ifeoma Azikiwe, the winners of Saturday’s by-elections in Anambra South Senatorial Zone and Onitsha North Constituency I, respectively.
The Anambra State president of the group, Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, congratulated the winners in an exclusive chat with Wazobia FM in Awka.
The official results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) showed that Chief Nwachukwu of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) polled 90,408 votes to defeat his closest rival, Azuka Okwuosa of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who scored 19,812, to win the Anambra South senatorial election.
Barrister Azikiwe emerged the winner of the In Onitsha North Constituency I election with 7,774 votes to defeat Justina Azuka of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who scored 1,909 votes.
Mazi Okpalaezeukwu said the Ohanaeze was delighted to observe how credible, transparent, and peaceful the by-elections were across the locations where they were held.
According to him, Ohanaeze's stance on the polls stems from the strength of its position as co-observers with a non-governmental organization, Integrity Friends for Truth and Peace Initiative, accredited by the INEC for the exercise.
He commended the electoral umpire for the early deployment of personnel and materials to the polling stations, which ensured that the voters who turned out for the elections were not disappointed.
“We must commend the government of Anambra State led by His Excellency, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo (Dike Udo) and the Security Agencies especially the Police, DSS, NSCDC, Navy, Army etc, for the safe and secure environment that begot the most peaceful and credible by-election that is widely accepted by all stakeholders and may not be a subject of litigation,” he said.
The Anambra Ohanaeze leader believes the peaceful conduct of the elections has gone a long way to restore the people’s confidence in INEC's ability to conduct free, fair, and credible elections.
“It has always been the mandate of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo to ensure that elections are free, fair, peaceful, and credible.
“Reports we garnered from our sources showed that electoral materials and personnel arrived on time, and there was peaceful conduct of the exercise in most of the locations.
“We believe that if such will be sustained in future exercises, the issue of voter apathy will soon be a thing of the past,” he posited.
Mazi Okpalaezeukwu reminded the elected officials of the burden of their responsibility to the electorate, insisting that election to a public office must be an avenue to serve, not for personal gain.
He urged them to rally forces with the Soludo administration to deepen grassroots development in the state.
