The African Democratic Congress (ADC) senatorial candidate for the Anambra South Senatorial by-election, Donald Amamgbo, has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the conduct of the election held on Saturday, August 16, 2025.
In a press briefing held on Tuesday in Awka, Amamgbo accused officials of sabotaging the electoral process, which he described as a “carefully orchestrated charade.” He claimed that the election results were designed to obscure, suffocate, and undermine the voice of the electorate, ultimately questioning the integrity of the process.
Amamgbo’s remarks came after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate, Emmanuel Nwachukwu, emerged victorious with 90,408 votes. Nwachukwu defeated the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Azuka Okwuosa, who garnered 19,847 votes, while Amamgbo of the ADC secured 2,889 votes.
Amamgbo did not mince words as he lamented the election’s outcome, emphasizing that elections should reflect the people’s will. He stated that the people were denied the opportunity to elect a candidate who genuinely sought to serve their interests.
“Elections are meant to reflect the will of the people. What we saw on August 16 was an orchestrated attempt to obscure that will, suffocate it, and ultimately decimate the people’s voice,” Amamgbo said. “What we witnessed was the desecration of all democratic norms, coupled with systemic sabotage and deliberate disenfranchisement of voters.”
He also highlighted the actions of INEC officials on the eve of the election, alleging that they deliberately withheld critical materials, including tags for ward and local government collation agents of the ADC. According to Amamgbo, this move crippled the ADC’s ability to properly defend the votes of its supporters during the collation process, further undermining the integrity of the election.
“The answer is clear: a deliberate attempt to disillusion and debase ADC, which remains the primary opposition party in Nigeria,” he added.
In his call for a thorough review of the election, Amamgbo made it clear that his struggle was not about his personal loss, but about the future of democracy in Nigeria. He reiterated that his commitment to standing with the people and advocating for a fair electoral system would not waver.
“This is not just about me. This is about the future of our democracy. Anambra South deserves better. Nigeria deserves better. Until we restore the integrity of our electoral process, I will not stop speaking up,” Amamgbo concluded.
