Anambra gov’ship poll: Ensure every single vote counts, Yakubu tells staff

*As Ohanaeze Ndigbo urges residents to come out, vote en mass

*Obiano requests early turnout for today’s election

*We’re in high spirit to vote, say Electorate

As residents of Anambra State vote in today’s governorship election, the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has directed all staff of the commission to ensure that every vote counts.

A total of 18 governorship candidates are on the ballot with three favoured to garner much of the votes. The three candidates are Prof. Chukwuma Soludo (All Progressives Grand Alliance); Senator Andy Uba (All Progressives Congress); and Chief Valentine Ozigbo (Peoples Democratic Party).

This is even as the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has admonished the people of Anambra State to come out en masse to exercise their franchise in today’s governorship election without fear of intimidation by anybody.

Yakubu gave the directive in his message to the Commission’s staff on Friday in Abuja.

He said that in spite of the challenging situation in the build-up to the election, including attacks on INEC facilities, the commission’s determination to ensure that the election held as scheduled had been unshaken.

Yakubu said that in the process, INEC rebuilt its fixed assets and replaced movable facilities.

“We also sought and obtained the support of the security agencies, political parties and candidates and all other stakeholders for a successful exercise,” he said

Yakubu reminded the staff that over the next few days, all eyes would be on the commission.

“As you are aware, Nigerians expect the Anambra Governorship election to be an improvement on the high standards achieved in recent elections.

“That is why we introduced the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for fingerprint and facial biometric authentication of voters.

“We have trained staff on the new technology.”

He added that INEC had also delivered all sensitive and non-sensitive materials for the election on schedule, deployed election duty staff.

Yakubu added that INEC made logistics arrangements to move personnel and materials to thousands of locations in Anambra State where voting and collation of results would take place.

“It is therefore imperative for all of you to ensure that every single vote counts.

“You must remain true to our commitment that only the voters in Anambra State determine who becomes the next Governor of the state.

“In doing so, you must be guided by the extant laws, our guidelines/regulations and good conscience.

“You should remain vigilant, principled and committed to the vision and mission of the Commission,” Yakubu said.

Meanwhile, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, on Friday, admonished the people of Anambra State to come out en masse to exercise their franchise in today’s governorship election without fear of intimidation by anybody.

While applauding the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on its decision to cancel the one-week sit-at-home order earlier scheduled to commence November 5, 2021, the organization urged residents of Anambra State not to see the presence of security agents as a source of fear rather see it as an encouragement.

President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Professor George Obiozor, who stated this in a statement, titled “Anambra Election: Please come out and vote”, made available to journalists on Friday, asked the Chief of Army Staff, the Inspector General of Police and all the Service Chiefs whose men were involved in the election to ensure that the security operatives observe strictly the best global standard of rules of engagement with the good people of Anambra State.

The statement reads in part: “Ohanaeze applauds the decision of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to cancel the one-week sit-at-home order earlier scheduled to commence Friday, November 5, 2021.

“The statement by Emma Powerful, the spokesman of IPOB, that they have heeded the advice of the well-meaning Igbos is a welcome development.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo had earlier pleaded with IPOB to reconsider its position on Sit at Home syndrome in the South East of Nigeria, reiterating that self-immolation is the worst form of rights’ struggle.

“Ohanaeze maintains that IPOB is a child of circumstance occasioned by orchestrated national political decisions; and to this end, it requires a political solution which the leadership of the South East are committed to.

“Ohanaeze urges all the Anambra indigenes to come out and exercise their franchise in the November 6 governorship election. The presence of security operatives in thousands should not be a source of fear and trepidation, rather a confidence-building dynamic by the federal government to guarantee adequate security of lives and property in the State.”

“The federal security operatives should synergize with the traditional rulers, town union presidents, and local community vigilante for effective coordination of the voting process.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo informs the Chairman, Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) that a credible election in Anambra State on November 6, will redound to the reputation of President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigeria in the comity of nations.

“Finally, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide maintains its non-partisanship and neutrality in the Anambra State governorship election; all the candidates are our illustrious sons. May the Best Candidate win.”

Also, Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has requested registered voters in the state to turn out not only in large numbers for today’s governorship election but to do so early.

Gov Obiano’s call was contained in a press statement signed by Mr. C. Don Adinuba, Anambra State Commissioner for Information & Public Enlightenment.

The governor explained that an early turnout had become necessary because voting would close at 2.30pm and anyone who did not stand in line before the time would not vote.

The statement noted that about two 2.5 million people registered for the election in which 18 political parties, including the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), would participate.

Obiano assured the people that the voting would be peaceful, free and fair and urged them to come out in their numbers.

The statement disclosed that 34,000 policemen have arrived from different parts of Nigeria to boost the 5,000 Anambra State Police Command.

The police command would be assisted by large numbers of men and women from other arms-bearing services like the army, navy, the Civil Defence Corps, the Department of State Security and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

Obiano reminded the people that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had not only rescinded its decision to prevent people from voting in the election but also urged voters to come out in droves.

“The IPOB leadership deserves commendation for listening to the cries of not only Anambra people but also other concerned persons from all over the Southeast and beyond, including traditional, religious and civil leaders”.

He added: “Every leader must endeavor to carry the people along in all its undertakings”.

Meanwhile, some residents of Awka, the Anambra State capital and environ have said that they were ready to exercise their franchise in today’s Governorship election in the state.

The electorate in the state told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka on Friday that they were in high spirit to vote for their preferred candidate in today’s election.

They attributed it to the adequate security provided by the Federal Government.

Mr. Moses Nnake, a transporter, said that he would do the needful by voting for his choice candidate.

“Now that the Federal Government has done the needful by deploying security men to the state, I will gladly go out and perform my duty.

”All hands must be on deck in helping the state to elect a credible leader,” he said.

Mrs. Margaret Ikejiofor, a woman leader, called on Anambra citizens to come out enmass and vote for candidate of their choice.

“I am calling on residents of the state to come out enmass and vote for their preferred candidate.

“With the high level of security in place nothing will happen to disrupt this election, I am calling on all women in particular to come out and vote,” she said.

A youth, Bernard Nwofor, said that with the calling off of the Sit at Home by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), people were now free to come out and vote.

”I am happy that IPOB has finally cancelled the ten-day sit at home imposed in the south East zone because it would have affected the election drastically,” Nwofor said.

NAN reports that there is relative peace and calmness in various parts of the state following the public holiday declared by the state government for Thursday and Friday.