The Nation Newspaper

Category: Anambra Election

  • Photo: Tight security at INEC office, Awka

    Photo: Tight security at INEC office, Awka

  • All eyes on Anambra as Ngige, Obiano, Nwoye, feanyi Ubah test strength

    All eyes on Anambra as Ngige, Obiano, Nwoye, feanyi Ubah test strength

    Today is a decision day in Anambra State. It is a day to elect the man that will succeed Governor Peter Obi.

    Today’s race is strictly a four-horse one. And they are the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Chris Ngige; All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Willie Obiano; Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Comrade Tony Nwoye and Labour Party (LP), Chief Ifeanyi Ubah.

    The fate of these four men would be decided by a total of 1, 784,536 registered voters. Of the lot, 900,701, representing 50.5%, are women, while 883,835, representing 49.5%, are men.

    They are spread across 326 wards of the 21 local government areas of the state which prides itself on being “The Light of the Nation”.

    After months of speculations, consultations and preparations which included vigorous campaigns across the local government areas, with seven being in each of the three senatorial districts – Anambra North, Anambra South and Anambra Central.

    Obiano and Nwoye are from Anambra North, while Ngige and Ubah are from the Central and South respectively.

    The four leading contenders in the governorship poll have one thing in common: incredible war chest! So, today’s election would, to some extent, be a fair fight.

    The contest will be determined by many forces. First is the support base. While Nwoye is said to enjoy the support of Chief Arthur Eze and Chief Emeka Offor, Obiano enjoys the support of incumbent governor. Ngige has the strong support of the recently registered APC, an amalgam of four major opposition parties. Ubah, apart from self-financing, has many wealthy friends as supporters.

    The candidates’ popularity will play a major factor. There is no doubt that they are all popular and have carved a niche for themselves in various aspects of life. The popular opinion here is that Ngige parades a larger than life image, having ruled the state once and made indelible marks in the areas of infrastructure.

    Nwoye also has fierce followership, especially among the youths, who are calling for a generational shift. Obiano’s meritorious career, administrative acumen and the support from the ruling party have shot up his popularity. Ubah, an oil and gas magnate, has been made so popular by his kerosine sales to the people at an affordable price.

    Then, there is the ubiquitous factor of religion. Here, religion is a highly emotive subject that every candidate has been careful not to be on the wrong side of it. That probably explains why the recent tragedy at the Adoration Ground was handled with much tact by all the candidates.

    The zoning philosophy may not really be the deciding factor, as it is not very much mentioned here.

    The legal tussles that raged on in the PDP which literally stalled good planning and campaign will sorely hurt the party, federal might notwithstanding.

    While Obiano and Nwoye would be splitting the votes of Anambra North, Ngige, analysts believe, would face no resistance in Anambra Central. He is quite popular and is expected to garner substantial votes there.

    The South Senatorial Zone will act as the swing zone in today’s election. In all, the winner in todays election will the most popular candidate among the people of Anambra State.

  • Anambra: INEC must not fail, says NBA

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Friday  warned that rigging in Saturday’s  election can only be averted if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) corrects lapses from previous polls.
    The association, at a press conference in Awka, said it expects “a gross improvement in the management and conduct of elections” by INEC.
    It said only a free and fair election can prevent the high level of complaints and tension recorded in various polling units in the past.
    NBA, through its Working Group on the Anambra Gubernatorial Election, called for co-operation among security agencies for effective security in and around the polling units.
    Adequate security, it said, will assist the voters in their resolve to exercise their democratic franchise.
    NBA also expects a drastic reduction in under aged voting, as this compromises the integrity of the electoral process.
    It advocated peaceful conduct by the aspirants, political parties and party agents; higher levels of voter awareness amongst the electorate, and equality in gender participation at the polls.
    Leader of the NBA group, Dafe Akpedeye (SAN), said they would engage the local NBA branches in Anambra State to observe the election, namely Awka, Onitsha, Aguata, Idemili, Nnewi and Ihiala.
    NBA warned that any attempt by any party to rig today’s election would be very dangerous for Nigeria’s democracy.
    “Election is a process and not an event. Any attempt to perpetuate irregularities in the electoral process destroys the whole essence of democracy and erodes legitimacy that may be conferred on the elected by the governed.
    “Sadly, Nigeria continues to grapple with challenges caused by an underlying failure to establish and sustain a credible electoral system.
    “Over the years, Nigerian elections have been fraught with lack of transparency associated with the use of violence, thuggery, hijacking and illegal seizures of ballot boxes, inflation of election results at collation centers, voting by unregistered persons, refusal to conduct elections at certified polling stations and the creation of illegal polling stations at unrecognized venues.
    “The method of rigging election is inexhaustible for no sooner have the legislature plugged existing loopholes in new legislation than election riggers would have invented new means of circumventing the new laws.
    “Anambrarians must get up and be counted. The good people of the state, who are undoubtedly the overwhelming majority must rise up and say no to the minority few that gives Anambra State a bad name,”

  • Ngige calls for REC’s removal

    Ngige calls for REC’s removal

    Less than 15 hours to the governorship election in Anambra State tomorrow, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Dr Chris Ngige has called for the transfer of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Prof  Chukuwuemeka Onukaogu.

    He said his party has no confidence in him following his performance in the 2011 general election.

    Ngige also told The Nation yesterday in Awka, capital of the state, that once the election is conducted in a free and fair manner, he was sure of victory. He expressed the hope that he would carry the day.

    “We have complied with all legal and even moral requirements for the election of tomorrow. We ended all forms of camping yesterday as early as 6 pm of Thursday. However, we also want the Independent National Electoral Commission to play it’s part very well. In fact, INEC has to be very careful with what they are doing here. We have been pleasantly surprised as a political party that they retained the REC, who conducted the 2011 general elections that was highly flawed.

    “And our party has to go to court to upturn some of those results of the elections conducted by him. So, since we discovered two days ago that it is still him that will conduct the election, we have been calling for his transfer. I am using this opportunity to reiterate our stand as a party that he should not be allowed to conduct the election. It is not too late”, he said.

    Speaking on his chances, he said ” once there is a free and fair election, we are sure of victory. If the electoral process is not compromised or manipulated, we will win. I am very hopeful, I have done my campaigns and ended it since yesterday ( Thursday). If the elections are properly co ducted, we will take it”, he said.

  • More journalists accredited

    More journalists accredited

    As part of the preparations for the Governorship Election tomorrow in Anambra State, the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) this morning began the accreditation of newsmen for the exercise.

    The accreditation which began at about 11 am is taking place inside the INEC Office along House of Assembly Road, Awka, the state capital.

    The accreditation process involves a presentation of a covering letter by media organizations confirming that the reporter was duly sent and authorized by the organisation to cover the election for it; and as a way to verify the authenticity of such a letter, INEC requires each reporter to present two photocopies of their official identity card, and the name must be corroborated by either a drivers license, national identity card or an international passport.

    Thereafter, the reporter is made to fill a letter/ form reflecting INEC’s authority to cover the exercise. The letter bears  Ref. No: INEC/AN/ PE/ 200/1/89 and dated November 14.

    The accreditation process was still on as at the time of this report.

  • Anambra Election: INEC screens journalists

    Anambra Election: INEC screens journalists

  • Four policemen on way to Anambra poll shot dead

    Four policemen on way to Anambra poll shot dead

    Four policemen heading for Anambra State on election duties were shot dead by gunmen in Edo State.

    It was gathered that the policemen, who were deployed from Osun state and travelling in a truck, came under fire at the Benin by-pass after which four of them were believed to have died.

    It could not be ascertained whether the attackers were armed robbers or they deliberately attacked the policemen.

    Details of the attack were also sketchy. Edo Police spokesman Emmanuel Eguavoen said he had not been briefed when our correspondent spoke to him on the telephone last night.

    Meanwhile, the police have deployed 28,000 officers and men in Anambra State for tomorrow’s governorship election.

    This is in addition to Air force and naval personnel already deployed in the state.

    Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) (Operations), Mr. Philemon Leha, who is the head of the security team to the state, confirmed the number of policemen on duty.

    Yesterday at the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), there was a marathon meeting of security chiefs with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) National Commissioners, and Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC’s) supervising the election.

    Though, the outcome of the meeting was not made known to reporters, it was gathered that it dwelt on the importance of making the election free, fair and credible.

    The meeting which started at about noon yesterday lasted till 3.45pm with security chiefs from the Police and the military. Officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) also attended.

    Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar while breaking down the deployments I the state, said 10 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) had been deployed.

    He said a Police Commissioner each would supervise the three senatorial zones assisted by a deputy commissioner and an assistant commissioner.

    He said over 120 policemen would be deployed in each of the 21 local government areas in the state, while the areas believed to be volatile would have the presence of more men.

    He said the Navy and the Air force would operate from the riverine areas. There will also be two helicopters for aerial surveillance on election day, the IG added.

    He said: “If you break the law, we will break you; the security men are willing and ready for the election in Anambra State. If you do not have any business on election day; stay at home to avoid embarrassment.”

    “The marine police, naval officers will take care of our water ways, there will be no room for manipulations, we shall all work together to make Anambra a safe and better place during and after the governorship election.”

     

  • APC decries 22-hour curfew

    APC decries 22-hour curfew

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has slammed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its 22-hour, no-movement order (from midnight tomorrow to 10 pm on Saturday).

    In a statement in Lagos yesterday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said even during general elections, people were allowed to move from 4pm on election day.

    “Election is not a war, but a celebration of democracy. Declaring a 22-hour curfew for an election in only one state raises serious questions: What is INEC hiding? Is the curfew meant to give riggers enough time to write and collate their cooked-up results? Are elections and free movement of people incompatible? Why does INEC need a 22-hour curfew to conduct a ‘peaceful and successful’ election in one state? Where in the world is a 22-hour curfew imposed during an election?

    “Anambra does not have the kind of terrain or riverine communities that will justify waiting for hours for election results to be taken from polling units to the collation centre, hence there is no reason to turn Anambra into a ghost state just to hold a governorship election.

    “We urge INEC to reconsider this overstretched curfew if it has no underlying motive for declaring it. After all, information at our disposal has it that some decent INEC officials have rejected being part of the Anambra election because they do not want to be tainted by the shenanigans of some of their unscrupulous colleagues, who are colluding with do-or-die politicians for ‘30 pieces of silver’,” it said.

    APC said with the creation of 1,973 extra polling units by INEC, of the original 4,608 units, the election should even be faster as it will take voters less time to complete accreditation and voting.

    The party warned security agents against harassing and intimidating voters on Saturday, as they did during the Delta Central by-election last month.

    “We have it on good authority that troops, police and State Security Service (SSS) personnel are being mobilised to Anambra from Abuja and neighbouring states, ostensibly to provide security during the election. But we know that this is a ploy to scare voters away from the polling units and provide cover for ballot box hijackers and those adept at vote tampering.

    “But we will like to remind our security agents that they are first and foremost Nigerians, hence they should always work in the interest of the country. They should not turn themselves to the armed wing of the PDP or APGA. They should allow voters to peacefully cast their votes without harassment or intimidation on Saturday,” it said.

  • IG deploys DIG in Anambra

    IG deploys DIG in Anambra

    The Inspector- General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, has deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Operations), Mr. Philemon Leha, in Anambra State for Saturday’s election.

    This information is contained in a statement by police spokesman Frank Mba, in Abuja yesterday.

    It said the deployment of Leha was to ensure the effective coordination of security operations.

    The statement said this would ensure, among others, that the police maintain a grip on security, covering the over-4,000 polling units and collation centres.

    “All striking units, including the Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Bomb Disposal Unit and the Police Air-Wing are to be deployed in strss.

    It warned that officers found breaching their oath of office would be brought to book.

    The statement appealed to the indigenes, especially the candidates, to conduct themselves within the law.

  • Okorocha urges APC loyalists to be focused

    Okorocha urges APC loyalists to be focused

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has urged All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters to be focused and vote for the party’s candidate, Senator Chris Ngige.

    He spoke when Anambra APC executives, including local government coordinators and ward chairmen, visited him in Owerri.

    Responding on behalf of the coordinators, Mr. Clement Anozie hailed the governor for transforming Imo State.

    He said they were committed to ensuring Ngige’s success at the polls.