…”Don’t test our will to enforce peace”, NSA warns group
Thousands of ad-hoc workers for the Anambra State governorship election have resigned due to fear of attacks by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), had in May increased the polling units in Anambra State from 4,608 to 5,720 with about 10,000 ad hoc workers required for the governorship poll.
However, despite its declaration of preparedness, many of those who signed up for the role have resigned.
According to a source, “INEC is now short of thousands of ad-hoc staff members due to IPOB instructions. Those who initially signed up have now resigned en-masse.”
Also, the National Security Adviser, Babagana Moguno, yesterday responded to the threat by the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) to frustrate the conduct of the November 6 governorship election in Anambra State.
Recall that the IPOB at the weekend declared a one-week sit-at-home protest across the South-East states starting from November 5.
IPOB’s Media and Public Secretary, Emma Powerful, in a statement issued in Awka, the Anambra State capital, said the protest was aimed at prevailing on the Federal Government to release its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is facing trial on a seven-count amended charge bordering on treason and terrorism.
Speaking at the headquarters of INEC in Abuja, on the occasion of the meeting of the Special Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, the NSA who incidentally is the Co-Chairman of the ICCES said the conduct of the election is a legitimate process and security agencies would not allow any group under any guise to undermine the process in Anambra.
While he advised law enforcement agencies who would be deployed to guarantee the security of lives and property to conduct themselves in a civilised manner, Babangida Monguno however warned forces who have been issuing threats to frustrate the election to have a rethink, in their own interest.
Earlier in his opening remarks, INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed that the Commission was fully prepared for the election having successfully accomplished 12 out of the 14 activities listed in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election released in January this year.
He restated his commitment to proceed with the election based on encouragement from heads of security agencies who have assured on the security of lives and property.
