Maduako Igbokwe l Friday, September 03, 2021
ONITSHA, Anambra State government has urged the people of the state to remain calm and disregard the insinuation that the forthcoming governorship poll in the state would be rigged. It stated that nobody can rig the poll in the state for any reason , noting that the people are on ground to resist any attempt .
According to the government, it is in possession of intelligence reports that some people were preparing to protest on the streets over alleged plans to rig the November 6 gubernatorial election, saying that the people would resist any attempt to rig the election .
The state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr. C. Don Adinuba in a statement made available to journalist in Awka said that those planning the protest held the view that some politicians were already claiming that the result of the election would be written, regardless of how the people of Anambra State vote.
Adinuba said: “We advise our people to disregard the claims that the rigging of the forthcoming election in our dear state is a foregone conclusion. This is a propaganda stunt.
“They have been using the propaganda stunt to intimidate Anambra people in the last couple of years, but it has always failed them. The Anambra State of 2021 is totally different from the Anambra State of 2003 or 2007.
“The rigging plans cannot work this time. The people of Anambra State, supported by their government, are ever ready to protect their state and its impressive progress of the last few years, rather than allow soldiers of fortune and buccaneers to toy with its destiny once again.
“The November 6 vote will be free, fair and transparent. This will be in conformity with the tradition of free polls which have come to define Anambra State political culture in recent times. The 2017 governorship poll and the 2019 general election in the state were the freest in the country.”
He recalled that there was such a threat in the build up to the November 17, 2017 gubernatorial vote in the state, adding, however, that the result turned out to be a true reflection of the voting pattern of the people and there is no compelling reason why the situation can be different this time in Anambra State.
He said further: “We trust the integrity of President Muhammadu Buhari who has consistently assured the nation that free, fair and transparent election will be one of his major legacies in the country. We have no reason to doubt him, despite the unconscionable behavior of some people in his party.
“Anambra State government has been working closely with such bodies as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Security, DSS, to ensure a free and fair election on November 6. We are convinced that the relevant bodies are working in the public interest.
“We, therefore, advise Anambra people to discountenance the propaganda that the rigging of the forthcoming election with the aid of the Federal might is a foregone conclusion. Our people are implored not to carry out the protests planned throughout Anambra State, which may be hijacked by violent elements.
“The political party which presents the best candidate and who will work assiduously for a greater Anambra State will certainly win the November 6 gubernatorial election”.
