Election of Anambra: Corps members threaten to withdraw from voting by order of IPOB

Election of Anambra: Corps members threaten to withdraw from voting by order of IPOB NEWSLODGE reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, often relies on members of the body for the conduct of elections in all parts of the country. They are often used as Presiding Officers, POs, and Deputy Presiding Officers, APO 1, 2, and 3 in most electoral units during elections. But in the wake of the tension currently shaking Anambra state following IPOB moves to halt the elections, members of the body serving in some areas of the state’s local government told NEWSLODGE that they are not interested. to participate in elections that are currently under threat. NEWSLODGE recalls that IPOB had declared a situation at home to stop the elections, insisting that the southeast region does not need any elections. He stressed that the Federal Government must call a referendum to determine the business existence of the country. According to media reports, IPOB members are also angered by the continued imprisonment of their leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS, since June 2021 following his arrest from a country. not revealed. Simon Ekpa, one of the fugitive’s supporters and opinion leader in the Biafra struggle, had warned the INEC through his social networks against holding any election in the land of Biafra (southeast). In a post on his Twitter and Facebook accounts on Wednesday, the Finn warned Igbo citizens to avoid elections. He said “tell Egbunike, others to stay away from Anambra elections as Biafrans already decided that there will be no movement and no election in Anambra state on November 6, 2021. “DIG Egbunike should be ready to go down in history as the police used by the Fulani to instigate crisis should be in case he tries to enforce the elections in Anambra state by killing any Biafra.” NEWSLODGE recalls that in a statement recently released by the group’s spokeswoman, Emma Power, IPOB promised to begin a week of sit-ins on election day if Kanu remains in DSS custody. Speaking to NEWSLODGE, a member of the corps who identified himself as Ochanya, who works in the Anaocha local government area in the state, expressed fear of an attack on Election Day and said the recent killings in the state originated by the IPOB sit-at-home shows the strength of your threats. According to Ochanya, most members of the body in the local government have vowed to avoid the elections despite guarantees from security agencies to ensure that the elections are crisis-free. She said, “I don’t want to die. My life is very important to my family. We have all witnessed the wrath of IPOB as they tried to enforce Monday at home. Many residents here have lost their lives because they violated the order. “I pity those who go to the elections just for the stipends. Even staying in the state during the elections is still a concern for me. If I have my way, I will travel back to Abuja before November 24th. “ In addition, Mr. Kenneth, popularly known as ‘Coper Ken’, told our correspondent that his parents had warned him not to take office in the elections, emphasizing that his life is more important than the benefits associated with exercise. “I know there will be money for those who will risk their lives to carry out the elections, but I am not greedy. My life is more important than money. IPOB is serious. My parents had even warned me to stay away from the elections, so I’m out. “ Another member of the body of the state Awka North Local Government Area, who identified himself as Adebayo Fayemi, said that he is still deciding whether to participate in the elections or not despite having undergone the training. According to Adebayo, the level of tension in the area two days before the elections may condition his decision. “I am very sure that the elections will be held and nothing will happen, but sometimes the fear that others show also affects my courage. Of course, nobody wants to die. If by the end of November 4 the security situation is not encouraging, I will have no choice but to stay home on election day, ”he said. A plan official, (a local government inspector) who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said that members of the corps who volunteer to participate in the elections will receive adequate security. According to him, the NYSC will not impose the role on members of the corps who are unwilling to participate. NEWSLODGE recalls that the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, ordered on October 14 the deployment of a total of 34,587 policemen in the state before the elections. The IGP that unveiled the development at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, during the 2nd Strategic Police Managers Conference for Senior Police Officers of the rank of Police Commissioner and above, also ordered the deployment of three Police Helicopters , technical capabilities of the Police Airwing, the Force Marine and the Force Animal Branch, and other operational assets to keep the peace during the election.