By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the November 8 election in Anambra State, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, has insisted that no local Vigilante groups will be allowed to participate in the electoral process.

He stated this against the rumour that the state government under Prof Chukwuma Soludo is allegedly planning to use state-backed vigilante operatives such as Agu Nechemba, Udo Gachi, and Ndi Aka-Odo to influence the outcome of the election and also suppress opposition.

Ukachukwu who spoke with journalists in Awka observed that the law does not permit unconventional security outfits to partake in elections.

While saying that any attempt by the state government to deploy such operatives in the election process will be resisted. He added: “I’m aware of the games the present state government is trying to play to lower the standard of the election, but one thing is clear vigilante groups have no role in the election. It is against the law,” he said.

He cited the example of the Ondo State gubernatorial election, during which the Amotekun corps was sidelined by the electoral commission to ensure neutrality, insisting that Anambra would not be an exception.

Ukachukwu said: “Whether it is Agu Nechemba, Udo Gachi, or Ndi Aka-Odo, they will not participate in the election. Whatever plans they have to use these groups to manipulate the process will not materialize.

“I have confidence in the will of the people to bring about change. No security outfit can stand in the way of popular demand for good governance.

“Don’t forget that the voice of the people is the voice of God. If Ndi Anambra want change, no Udo Gachi, Agu Nechemba, or any group can stop them. The people are saying ‘enough is enough,’ and nothing will stop them from exercising their democratic rights.”

The APC gubernatorial candidate further assured the people of Anambra that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to the rule of law and strengthening democratic institutions.

He said: "The federal government will ensure that the Anambra election is free, fair, and transparent.

“When the time comes, the law will take its course, and even the state government will come to terms with the reality that vigilante groups are not permitted to be part of the electoral process.”

Reacting to concerns over ministerial appointments given to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) affiliates instead of APC in Anambra, Ukachukwu said the appointments had no political implications.

He said: "Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, who was recently appointed minister, was not nominated by APGA and has never participated in any of the party’s campaigns.

“Yes, Bianca Ojukwu was appointed, but not on the strength of APGA’s recommendation. In fact, she hasn’t been involved in any of the party’s campaigns, so it would be wrong to tie her appointment to APGA affiliation."

On the appointment of former appointee of the state government, Mark Okoye as DG South East Development board, the governorship candidate rather described it as "a decision based on peculiar circumstances.”

He however insisted that such appointments will not alter the course of the governorship election, saying: “I’m not bothered about who got what. Some of them have contested primaries with me and I defeated them. So, we will cross that bridge when we get there.

"What matters now is that Ndi Anambra are ready for change, and no political appointment or distraction will stop that."