YPP boycotts Anambra LG poll over violence, irregularities claims

The Young Progressives Party (YPP) has announced it will boycott the Anambra State local government elections due to allegations of violence, irregularities, and gunshots in Otuocha, the headquarters of Anambra East Local Government Area. This is the only locality where an opposition party fielded candidates, with the YPP contesting the chairmanship and councillorship positions in all 15 wards.

Other opposition parties in the state did not field candidates for any position in the 21 LGAs, leaving APGA candidates unopposed in the other 20 LGAs. The YPP's Local Government Collation Agent for Anambra East, Charles Ifediora, claimed that the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the state government conspired to incite violence to dissuade the opposition from participating in the election.

He alleged that gunshots were fired around the Anambra East LGA Secretariat in Otuocha, preventing agents and supporters from carrying out their duties. Ifediora also said that one of their party members was shot and taken to the hospital. An eyewitness near the scene stated that there were shooting incidents, but no major casualties, as police had cordoned off the area and restored calm.

The APGA Publicity Secretary, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, dismissed the YPP's claims as baseless, stating that they knew they had no chance of winning. The spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, however, denied any shooting incident, stating that the election proceeded peacefully.