Category: Anambra Election

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (retd.), has warned members of proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and others threatening to disrupt the Anambra State governorship election to have a rethink and stop inflicting pains on the people.

Monguno spoke at a special meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

He said: “I want to offer a word of brotherly advice to our brothers and sisters in Anambra State who may want to use means, methods that are unorthodox and that are unusual to destabilise an already delicate situation to please think again.

“We are all eager to achieve results in this election that will be acceptable to everybody. I don’t think it will be helpful to anyone to go out and ignite something that might cause pains to the people of Anambra State, the good people of Anambra State the peace-loving people, under whatever disguised. Please, think again.”

Monguno added: “We are poised for another all-important national assignment and that is the November 6 governorship election in Anambra State.

“We all know how important this exercise is, not only to those of us who are supposed to ensure hitch-free exercise, but to the people who are expected to vote.

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“This is what we know to be the greatest optimisation of what every citizen should aspire for. It is the number one legitimate expectation and right of every citizen. We must not deny anybody that right to exercise his civic duty; not just to exercise it but to exercise it in an atmosphere devoid of rancor, devoid of apprehension, tension, and all those factors that lead to suspicion and people ending up in courts or even in violence.

“This is what we need to avoid, just like the (INEC) chairman said about the two elections that were held in Edo and Ondo states. We need to do even better than those in order to really earn confidence in society.

“Now, for those of us in security, we have already done most of what we’re supposed to do. All the law enforcement agencies, security agencies, among others, have been charged to conduct themselves in a manner that will command the general widespread respect of all the people of Anambra State and, by extension, the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“They have been asked, charged to exhibit the highest level of professionalism, patience, perseverance as well as self-restraint. We have been told to operate within the confines of the law and not to go out on and exhibit tendencies that would jeopardise this exercise.

“I want to reassure the general public that the security agencies are going to do everything within their powers to ensure that the people of Anambra State undergo this exercise without any incident.

“Finally, I want to encourage agents of the INEC. I know you’ve gone through a lot of pain, a lot of losses with your colleagues from the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and other agencies. Do not allow what has happened in the past to dampen your spirits; do not allow it to drive you into a state of lethargy. Please, continue to support the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and let us get this job done.”

Anambra State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Andy Uba, has assured residents of Awka, the state capital, that his administration will restore the original master plan of the town, if elected on November 6.

Uba spoke in Awka, following the defection of the leaders of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to APC in the area.

The APC candidate decried the deplorable state of infrastructure across Awka Municipal, saying: “Awka has been robbed of its glory by previous administrations in the state.”

He maintained that none of the previous administrations paid meaningful attention to the development of the state capital and the satellite towns around it.

Uba addressed residents of Awka North at Central School, Ebenebe, in Awka North and Awka Township Stadium in Awka South during his campaign tour of the 21 local government areas in the state.

He said: “It is sad to note that more than 30 years after the creation of our dear state, our capital town is not reflective of who we are as Ndi Anambra.

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“Although we are nationally and internationally regarded as an educationally advantaged state with innovative and industrious citizens to boot, the neglect of our capital town of Awka, especially by the outgoing Governor Willy Obiano administration, remains a poor reflection of who we really are.

“Besides the last minute attempt by the APGA government to hoodwink our people with an airport project, Governor Obiano, in seven years, did not construct, reconstruct, or rehabilitate any road in the capital city.”

“Yet, Awka, by reason of its status as the capital of Anambra State, remains our common heritage and so deserves close attention year in, year out.

“But because of Governor Obiano administration’s refusal to develop Awka Municipal, infrastructure in the state capital has collapsed, leaving residents spending endless man-hours on avoidable traffic congestions.

“As your governor, I will make Awka a focal point of my administration. And in doing so, we shall develop the satellite communities as a strategic plan to decongest Awka town and make it really livable.”

The APGA Chairman in Awka North Local Government Area, Uzoma Mbonu, announced his defection alongside 10 ward chairmen and other members of their executive to the APC at the event.

Anambra State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Mr. Andy Uba, has criticised Governor Willie Obiano for his style of governance.

Obiano is backing Prof. Charles Soludo, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate, to succeed him.

Ahead of the November 6 governorship election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the final list of candidates, and electioneering is in full swing.

Addressing reporters in Lagos on Monday, Uba alleged that Obiano had detached himself from the “realities on the ground” in Anambra State.

He said the governor had not had a face-to-face interaction with Nkem Okeke, his deputy, in the past 18 months.

Okeke recently defected to the APC and was presented to President Muhammadu Buhari by the party’s Caretaker Chairman and Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

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Commenting on the defection, Uba said: “Obiano has not seen his deputy governor for 18 months; they have not seen each other. What kind of leader is that?

“Obiano does not engage the people. You must engage the people that are agitating in your state. He cuts off people that are not with him, even if they are from his place.”

The APC candidate said his party was engaging stakeholders to collectively resolve the security challenge in the state.

“Election must hold, despite security issues. We are engaging different kinds of people in the state. Obiano has never tried to engage them,” he said.

Uba said Anambra’s development had been stunted because the incumbent governor does not belong to the ruling party, adding that the state “deserves to be in the centre”.

The APC candidate promised to replicate the education system of Lagos State in Anambra.

The National Peace Committee (NPC) yesterday called for a nonviolent and harmonious atmosphere during the November 6 election in Anambra State.

NPC Chairman, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, made the call in a statement in Abuja.

The statement reads: “As Ndi Anambra prepare for the November 6, 2021 governorship election in Anambra State, the NPC wishes to announce that a peace accord will be signed by the various political parties and stakeholders on November 4, 2021, at the Prof. Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre in Awka (the state capital).

“In ensuring the effective discharge of its objectives, the NPC has been carrying out back-channel negotiations and private meetings for peace amongst political stakeholders across party lines.

“We call on all key stakeholders to come forward and contribute their quota to the peace and stability of the country, particularly before, during and after the Anambra Governorship Election.

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“The NPC also wishes to reiterate that as an apolitical body, the peace, unity and tranquility of the country is of paramount importance, which cannot be over-emphasised.

“Considering the orgy of violence witnessed in Anambra State in recent time, which in particular has claimed the lives of notable personalities in the state, we, therefore, call for the collaboration of all stakeholders as we work towards achieving our desired goal.”

The NPC chairman also urged all stakeholders to eschew violence before, during and after the election so that Anambra State could come out of the election stronger and live up to its name as the ‘Light of the Nation.’

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured Nigerians that the November 6 governorship election in Anambra State will disabuse the minds of naysayers that the commission rigs elections or commits electoral fraud.

The state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Nwachukwu Orji, gave the assurance in Awka, the state capital, during a voter education and sensitisation forum for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) and women groups.

The event was organised in collaboration with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), the United States Agency for International Development and the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening.

Orji, who was represented by INEC’s Head of Voter Education and Publicity, Mr. Samuel Nimem, assured that the commission had put facilities in place to achieve all-inclusive electoral process.

The REC added that it had successfully carried out most activities on schedule for the exercise.

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He said: “INEC is ready on every stage for the election. The electoral materials that got burnt during the attack have been replaced, non-sensitive materials have been distributed to all local government areas and training of officials and ad hoc workers is ongoing as I speak to you.

“We have pasted and presented voters’ register to the political parties fielding candidates. We have published the final list of candidates and we have been engaging stakeholders to ensure security at polling units.

“We have increased polling units to 5,720 to increase access to all voters. We are carrying out aggressive voter education and sensitisation, appealing to the residents to exercise their civic responsibilities.

“With all facilities in place and with the electronic transmission of results, I tell you that Anambra election will be embarrassingly transparent. This will build more confidence in our electoral system.”

Orji urged PWDs to actively participation in all aspects of the electoral processes, assuring that the commission had made necessary provisions in voting aids.

Also, Mrs. Amina Yahaya of IFES said the organisation was committed to any cause that would advance the development of PWDs and women.

“We are supporting this programme because we want the vulnerable groups to be actively involved in electoral process because they have the right to vote the leader of their choice,” she said.

In her presentation, Deputy Director of Civil Society Organisation, Mrs. Dorothy Bello, described women and PWDs as critical stakeholders that should not be ignored during elections.

“INEC has the mandate to organise a free, fair, credible and inclusive election. PWDs and women need to exercise their rights to vote and be voted for without discrimination,” she added.

Presidential hopeful, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, has urged the electorate in Anambra State to vote for the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the November 6, Nze Akachukwu Nwankpo.

Moghalu, a former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), who recently joined the ADC, said in a post on his Facebook page yesterday, that Nwankpo remained the best candidate to govern the state based on proven integrity and experience.

“Nwankpo visited me today in Abuja to welcome me into the party and brief me on the state of play and the ADC campaign in Anambra State.

“We had an excellent, enlightening session. Nwankpo’s innovative approach to governance is to use the ‘Umunna’ (which is extended family associations and meetings) in the local communities to create participatory governance that holds the state government accountable.

“This is an example of how traditional African concepts can be used to deepen our democracy instead of “cut and paste” from Western practices,” he said.

The campaign office of Senator Andy Uba has said the Anambra State All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate has all it takes to win the November 6 election.

A statement yesterday by APC Zonal Publicity Secretary for Anambra Central and Media Coordinator for Senator Andy Uba, Igboeli Arinze, said the distractions would not stop APC from winning the election.

Arinze spoke at Abagana, in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, while addressing party faithful on the need to remain united.

He described Uba as the best among those vying for the November 6 election.

This, he said, was due to the panache and the willingness of Senator Uba to engage intellectuals to his side to fix the problems bedevilling the state.

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The spokesman also described the campaign of Senator Uba as the only one that was based on issues.

“We are indeed sure that all things being equal, Senator Andy Uba will emerge victorious at the elections on November 6, 2021.

“This is because he has all that it takes to govern the state and steer its ship to a level of progress never witnessed before in the annals of Anambra.

“You may ask: how is he coming to do this? It’s quite simple. Uba’s manifesto and his plans are to bring in first-class intellectuals to help him tackle the hydra-headed problems of unemployment, insecurity, healthcare, commerce and education.

“Again, Uba has the consummate experience much required by the state for its development. Other aspirants cannot hold a torch to Uba’s level of experience, which is like a lighthouse,” Arinze said.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Usman Baba yesterday advised police officers, especially members of the Police Mobile Force (PMF), to deal ruthlessly with anyone who tries to disrupt the conduct of the November 6 governorship election in Anambra State.

The IGP warned that the PMF would, as usual, form a critical component of the operational plan to deter any subversive elements that could threaten or disrupt the smooth conduct of the poll.

Baba cautioned the police officers to be apolitical and work in synergy with other security operatives.

The IGP spoke at a crucial conference with PMF Squadron Commanders in Abuja.

He promised not to spare any PMF operative who engaged in misconduct, adding: “Consequently, the AIG PMF has been directed to put machinery in motion to identify and rationalise such incorrigible elements out of the PMF.”

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Baba said plans were underway to issue more weaponry and operational vehicles to enhance operational mobility and combat ability for the special unit.

The IGP expressed displeasure over the security challenges in the country, urging the officers not to rest on their oars.  He added that the Nigeria Police Force, in the coming days, would be implementing a robust national security action plan to refocus the internal security dynamics of the country, in addition to securing the electoral processes in the Anambra State governorship election.

These, Baba said, include the protection of personnel and materials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and critical national infrastructure.

The IGP reiterated that the police force would continue to do all within its powers to combat all forms of criminality and violent crimes, including banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and violent extremism, amongst others, across the country.