From Ifeoma Ejiofor
The Young Progressives Party (YPP) candidate for the Ihiala federal constituency in the last House of Representatives election, Barr Johnmary Akachukwu Maduakolam, has faulted the February 25th polls.
The Anambra-based legal practitioner made his position known in a voice note he sent to journalists.
Barr Maduakolam noted with dismay that electorates were assaulted and, in some cases, cajoled on the day of the election just to prevent them from voting for a candidate of their choice.
“Some political actors connived with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disenfranchise the people of Ebonesi and Uli ward 1. Also, seven out of the 21 wards did not participate in the process of choosing their representative in the National Assembly election.
“Even in places where electorates were allowed to vote, people in 45 polling units did not have the opportunity to vote. In some cases, election results were cooked up for a certain candidate,” Barr Maduakolam pointed out.
The House of Representatives hopeful recalled how the CLEAN Ihiala movement, which he noted with relish, and was embraced by all and sundry, was formed.
“The CLEAN Ihiala movement is made up of people from all walks of life. The purpose of the group is to see the possibility of birthing a new Ihiala where the foundation would be laid using the instrumentality of government. I and some forward-thinking people met our people almost everywhere and told them about the need to join the global trend where the government works for the people.
“Unfortunately, on 25th February, the dream suffered a setback through an onslaught and betrayal of the people who ordinarily should desire that Ihiala federal constituency works for everybody,” he revealed.
The UK-trained lawyer, while thanking Ndi-Ihiala and his supporters for believing in the CLEAN Ihiala movement, assured that all hope is not lost and urged supporters to remain calm.