The battle for the control of the soul of Anambra State House of Assembly may spring up surprises as the two arch-rivals, the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cast their nets for the incoming lawmakers.

Leaders of the two political parties spent the greater part of yesterday fine-tuning their strategies.

While the administration of Governor Willie Obiano is doing everything humanly possible to ensure that it secures majority in the House, the PDP is working hard to see that the opposite is the case.

News Express discovered that both camps have been taking special interest in the INEC officials and ad-hoc staff being used for the election. Yesterday, a chieftain of one of the parties complained bitterly that INEC has changed some of its officials who worked in various constituencies during the March 28 presidential and National Assembly elections after they had gotten used to them. He blamed the change on his party’s opponents, whom, he said, were desperate to win the House of Assembly election.

Meanwhile, some youths in Ifite Nteje in Oyi Local Government Area trooped to the village square, complaining that some members of APGA were planning to rig the election in Ward 5, Nteje.

Their spokesman, Mr. Martin Okechukwu, alleged that in their desperate efforts to win Nteje Ward 5, the unnamed APGA officials have mobilised and equipped the youths with money and dangerous weapons, with instructions to deal ruthlessly with whoever tries to block their way.

Okechukwu called on the law enforcement agents to intervene to prevent the breakdown of law and order. He urged the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) to ensure that its staff deployed to Nteje were provided adequate security as they (the youths) would not tolerate any form of irregularity.

•Photo shows Anambra REC, Edwin Nwatarali.