By Hungah Peter (SIWES student, Federal Polytechnic Ilaro)
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Barrister Silas Onu and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate, following their defeat in the Ebonyi South senatorial zone bye-election, have accused the All Progressive Congress (APC) of engaging in malpractices during the voting process.
Speaking from Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Onu asserted that the APC resorted to tactics such as ballot snatching, multiple thumb printing, and vote buying.
He highlighted instances where voters were coerced to vote against their preference, undermining the integrity of the electoral process.
Expressing dismay over the state of democracy, Onu emphasized the need for a thorough review of the election, condemning the alleged disregard for democratic principles.
He criticized the manipulation of accreditation figures and the involvement of security agents in turning a blind eye to malpractices.
In response, the APC Chairman in the state, Hon. Stanley Okoro-Emegha, dismissed these accusations as baseless, attributing them to the disappointment of the losing candidates.
He emphasized that such allegations are common among those who fail to secure victory, implying that they are mere attempts to undermine the credibility of the electoral outcome.
The conflicting narratives between the opposing parties underscore the challenges facing electoral processes in Nigeria and raise concerns about the integrity of democratic practices in the region.
