The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has warned that the increased insecurity in Anambra State could be related to the November 6 governorship election, but that it is committed to holding the election.
According to current intelligence, individuals attacking the Commission’s offices and other public institutions in the State intend to prevent the governorship election from taking place.
Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), revealed this at an emergency meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
He pointed out that the significance of election security in a governorship race has never been greater.
Yakubu, on the other hand, warned that if INEC loses critical materials and facilities again, the ongoing election preparations will be jeopardized.
“From the reports we’ve received, many of the assailants’ declared purpose is to prevent the Governorship election slated for November 6, 2021 from taking place,” he said.
“The Commission is concerned about this. We are quite afraid that certain voting facilities and materials could be targeted once more.
“Recall that our State Office in Awka was attacked in May of this year, and all of the non-sensitive election materials assembled at the time were destroyed. In addition, our store, collation center, and main office building were all damaged to some extent. The Poll Commission also lost a number of cars that were supposed to be used for the election.
“We have, thankfully, nearly fully recovered from the attack. The devastated structures have either been totally reconstructed or are nearing completion, and the materials that were destroyed have been completely replaced.
“Only because this is an off-season election has this swift recovery been feasible. We obtained some of these materials from neighboring countries, such as the 326 electric generators and vehicles destroyed in the raid.
“However, if we lose critical materials and facilities again, the ongoing preparations will be jeopardized.”
“We want to reassure the people of Anambra State that the Commission is committed to holding the poll as planned,” he said. To demonstrate its commitment, the Commission is adding two more activities to the election schedule in the coming days.
“On Thursday, October 7th, 2021, the voter registration will be given to political parties in Awka. On the same day, the Commission will release the election’s final candidate list.
“We are convinced that by the end of this conference, we will have agreed on precise steps to ensure the safety of all election participants, including voters, election officials, observers, media organizations, and voting materials.”
Representatives from the National Security Adviser, the military, the police, and other security agencies were present at the meeting.
Meanwhile, governors and other leaders from the South East geopolitical zone emerged from a protracted emergency security meeting without saying anything about arrested IPOB leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, for whom a weekly sit-at-home protest had been held across the zone.
“The Governors and Leaders of the South East condemned,” the leaders declared in a communique produced at the end of the meeting and read by Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi state.
the region’s atrocities and have committed to work together.
security agencies to put an end to the murders;”
The group also determined that governors and other people should “condemn the sit-at-home directives, which are largely issued by our people in diaspora who do not feel the pains,” according to the statement.
do all within the law to ensure that there are no more sit-at-home zones in the South East and that individuals are free to move around freely throughout the zone.”
“The meeting agreed the South East Ebubeagu security outfit be launched in all the South East States and laws passed in various South East States before the end of 2021,” the leaders said.
The leaders also recognized receiving the report from the “Ohanaeze Committee on different issues impacting the South East, particularly on the problem of security and marginalization of the South East.”
people, and determined to review the Ohanaeze Worldwide reports for urgent implementation, as well as engage with the Federal Government for a peaceful resolution of all issues stirring the minds of our people, particularly the youths.”
The leaders agreed to assist security forces in restoring peace in the South East; they also determined to support the November 6 election in Anambra State and instructed security authorities to completely ensure a peaceful election.
Leaders from major religious organizations in the zone, as well as royal fathers, community leaders, youth and women leaders, Ohanaeze Ndigbo leadership, elected office holders, National Assembly members from the zone, and retired military and security top brass from the zone, were all in attendance at the meeting.
Governors Hope Uzodimma of Imo State and Chief Umahi of Ebonyi State, as well as the host Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State and the Deputy Governor of Abia State, praised all organisations and clergy for their efforts in reaching out to our youth.
The clergymen, bishops, CAN, Ohanaeze, and Traditional Rulers were all instructed to continue engagement with Igbo youths at the meeting.
