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From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
A socio-political group, the Igbo Political Network (IPN), has called on the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, to live above board in the Anambra governorship election.
The group said the INEC boss must ensure that the election is free, fair and credible to restore lost confidence of voters across the country.
President of the group, Chief Alex Okemiri stated this in Abakaliki, yesterday.
He urged Ndigbo to shun every form of intimidation and marginalisation in their own affairs and monitor the Anambra State, which he described as a litmus test for the new INEC boss.
Okemiri said the group had mobilised and deployed over 5000 independent observers (IOs) to monitor and report any act of irregularity in the election, adding that the election remained a historical political event in the South East region.
According to him, it would be foolhardy for relevant authorities and critical stakeholders to treat it with a wave of the hand in the interest of a particular candidate.
“All eyes are on Anambra State on November 8. This election remains epochal in the state and the entire Igbo land. The political leaders from Anambra, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo states are interested in this very election because it’s seen as a major test on our political history as a people. And all hands must be on deck to make it a free and fair exercise, hence the reason we are deploying our observers to monitor the election.”
He said: “I’m Chief Alex Okemiri, the President of the Igbo Political Network (IPN). Actually, all of us at the Igbo Political Network (IPN) have been making sure the interest of the Igbo, both politically and economically, is protected. Since 2015, we have ensured that the Igbo conduct their political activities and ethos fairly to better their lots. We are known for peace and political level-playing field in Igboland.
“We have also ensured votes in Igbo land count, that political thuggery is eradicated and politicians (candidates) conduct their activities accordingly without the whims and caprices of external political manipulators. We have not left any stone unturned to ensure voters cast their votes and go about doing so peacefully.
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“However, we also noticed that to do this, all hands must be on deck; politicians, security agencies and electoral officers should work to ensure a level-playing field and a peaceful atmosphere.
“This is why we have mobilised over 5000 independent observers for the Anambra Governorship election on November 8. The idea is to make sure that the outcome of the election represents the will of the people as against widespread insinuations that the South East region is known for political violence.
“Someone asked me to explain where I got the resources to mobilise these independent observers, considering the huge resources for accommodation, transportation and other logistics. In my reply, I said yes we are aware the economy is biting.
“But, we need to do the needful from our individual confines, considering the premium that Ndigbo attach to the forthcoming Anambra State governorship election. The election is key for our people.”
Okemiri gave a marching order to the INEC chairman to shun favouritism and ensure that all votes count in the election.
According to him, the forthcoming polls signed-posted an integrity test on the national assignment entrusted into his hands by Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging the INEC boss to live above board.
He said: “We call on the INEC chairman to live above board. We call on him to do his best to ensure that the Anambra State governorship election, which is just around the corner, is free and fair. He should do everything within his power to ensure that the people’s votes count.
“We want to remind him that this is his first national assignment and that the world is watching. We want to remind him also that Ndigbo are all interested in this very election and want to see how the winner and loser emerge.
“We urge the INEC chairman to be honest, unbiased and transparent in his conduct as regards the forthcoming election. He should know that Nigerians are already on the edge to unleash their anger on perpetrators of any political corruption.
“He should also know that Ndigbo are not currently happy with the scheme of things in the country and it’s important he avoids any act capable of inflaming the anger or violence in the land.”
