Anambra gov’ship: APC, APGA, PDP, others sign peace pact today

• CP warns troublemakers

• Amnesty seeks protection of voters, others

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, yesterday assured voters and people of Anambra State that the November 6 governorship election will hold as scheduled.

Speaking during a meeting held at the INEC headquarters in Awka, he said the commission, in collaboration with all the security agencies, is ready for a free, fair and credible poll.

He urged security agencies to do everything possible towards ensuring sanity and orderliness before, during and after the process. 

The INEC boss also disclosed that the candidates and political parties would today, during a stakeholders meeting, sign a peace accord to commit to a free and fair election.

He said the signing of the peace accord was part of measures to ensure peaceful conduct of the election

The Anambra State Police Commissioner, Mr Echeng Echeng, said all boundaries linking the state with others would be locked down on Thursday night as part of measures to guarantee security within and outside the state.

He said during the period, vehicles and movement would not be allowed into the state, stressing that several camps of hoodlums have been identified and were being seriously monitored.

The CP also decried the ugly narratives from outsiders about the security situation in parts of the state.

Meanwhile, 13 governors who are members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday stormed the grand finale of the party’s governorship candidate, Valentine Ozigbo. They vowed to resist any plot to rig the election.

Chairman of the PDP National Campaign Council for Anambra State governorship election, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, stated this during the party’s mega rally in Awka, to cap its campaign for the election.

Ikpeazu, who was accompanied by governors Ifeanyi Okowa and Seyi Makinde of Delta and Oyo states respectively, reiterated the readiness of the PDP to “take back” the country from the All Progressives Congress (APC) come 2023 general elections.

Also yesterday, members of the caucus of the APC at Anambra House of Assembly paid a solidarity visit to the deputy governor of the state, Dr. Nkem Okeke.

The caucus members led by Timothy Ifediora (APC, Njidoka constituency), visited Okeke at his office in the government house, Awka, along with others.

Responding, the deputy governor thanked the caucus members for visiting him, saying Anambra State cannot continue to be a lone ranger.

Amnesty seeks protection of voters, others

Amnesty Nigeria has called on the federal government to ensure that the lives of citizens, journalists and INEC officials are protected during and after the Anambra election.

A statement yesterday by its media manager, Isa Sanusi, expressed concern on reports of violence targeting voters, political gatherings, security forces and INEC facilities.  

The statement quoted its director, Osai Ojigho, saying the “Nigerian government must protect people from violence and ensure the full respect for freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association before, during and after the upcoming gubernatorial election. 

“The government must put in place measures to protect people including human rights defenders, election observers, and staff of INEC ahead of the 6 November election.” 

He further asked government to ensure that security forces did not infringe on human rights while enforcing law and order during the period.