Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra has expressed dismay over alleged reports of assault on the state commissioner for environment, Felix Odimegwu, by an opposition party during the by-election in the state.

Mr Soludo made the allegation while speaking with journalists shortly after casting his vote in the Anambra South Senatorial By-election, at his polling unit 002, Ofiyi Square, Isuofia ward in Aguata Local Government Area.

The governor said the information was one of the updates he got from the field, adding that the incident happened at Ezinifite in Nnewi South LGA.

“Just in the last few minutes, I got a terrible report from Nnewi South. The news is not palatable but predictable because when you see that you are losing, you begin to unleash violence to disrupt the electoral process.

“My commissioner was in pain and crying that the APC governorship candidate in Anambra took truckload of police and thugs and was going from one polling unit to another beating up people, including the commissioner.

“That is shocking but not unexpected. That is what you do when you are desperate. I understand they are losing even in his ward.

“Let the people vote and let their vote count. That is what we are asking. But we are confident that at the end of the day, the people’s will must prevail,” he said.

The governor commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the seamless conduct of the by-election in the state.

“I’m glad that so far, the process has been seamless. From reports I have gotten from around the state – Anambra South and Onitsha, it has been relatively peaceful.

“I’m impressed that people came out to exercise their civic duty of voting for candidates of their choice. This is democracy in action,” Soludo said.

The death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who represented Anambra South in the Senate in July 2024, necessitated the conduct of a by-election.

Meanwhile, counting of votes has commenced in some polling units.

(NAN)