Anambra 2021: INEC Makes Decision On Governorship Election Amid IPOB Threats

Posted by Nwa Diokpa Featured, Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria, News From The State Tuesday, October 5th, 2021

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says that the November 6 Anambra election must go on irrespective of threats from the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB to halt the exercise.

African Examiner writes that the secessionist group had vowed that the election would not hold because of the refusal of the Federal Government to release its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Knau who is presently in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS in Abuja.

The threat has caused fear among residents of the state as unknown gunmen who are alleged to be the members of the Eastern Security Network, ESN, a security outfit of the IPOB continue to cause havoc in Anambra and other parts of the South eastern region which has led to suspension of campaigns by some top political officials.

Due to the security situation in the state, INEC on Tuesday had an emergency Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security meeting to deliberate on the matter.

Speaking during the meeting, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, stated that the election would not be postponed due to the security situation.

He said: “Unfortunately, the situation has deteriorated markedly since our last meeting. Many innocent persons have been killed and property destroyed.

“From the reports we have received, the stated goal of many of the assailants is that the governorship election scheduled for 6 November 2021 must not hold.

“This is worrisome for the commission. We are deeply concerned that specific electoral facilities and materials could once more become targets of attack. Recall that in May this year, our State Office at Awka was attacked and all the non-sensitive materials assembled for the election at the time were destroyed.

“In addition, our store, collation centre and the main office building were either totally or substantially damaged. The Commission also lost several vehicles to be used for the election.

“To underscore this determination, the commission is implementing two more activities on the Timetable for the election in the next few days. The register of voters will be presented to political parties in Awka on Thursday 7 October 2021. On the same day, the commission will publish the final list of candidates for the election,” he said.