Presidency, INEC task candidates on Anambra governorship election

At the sensitisation workshop for the political parties organised by the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Inter-Party Affairs, Senator Ben Obi, yesterday in Awka, Anambra State, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega stated that while the commission has abided by the rules and regulation guiding the election, “the environment for these processes to succeed will be determined by the collective attitude of all stakeholders.”

   The chairman of the workshop, Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, pointed out that while it is possible that “competitors perform at their optimum when the rules of engagement are clear and understood” and the electoral umpires are determined to apply the rules, the sensitisation workshop was another opportunity for Anambra people to collectively put behind them “the cliche that the state encourages electioneering thuggery and malpractices; does not easily accept the outcome of elections, and support attitudes uncomplimentary to representational democracy.”
  In his welcome address, Obi stated that the November governorship election should not be a do-or-die affair, and called on the candidates to ensure that a vibrant competition “is carried out in a healthy and mature manner to guarantee continued peaceful coexistence among Anambra residents.”
  Governor Peter Obi, who was represented by his deputy, Mr. Emeka Sibeudu, commended President Goodluck Jonathan for his efforts at ensuring fair and peaceful elections in the country. While assuring that his administration will ensure a level playing ground before and during the election, he enjoined all contestants to abide by the electoral guidelines and eschew acrimony that would only overheat the polity.
  Former ambassador to the United States, Prof. George Obiozor said that electorally,  “things were getting worse rather than better in Nigeria” because most elections were won in the court rooms rather than in the polling booths. Electoral process has become a judiciary exercise.”
   Former National Secretary of Alliance for Democracy, Dr. Udenta O Udenta said most of the problems in Anambra elections can be traced to “intrusion, invasion of external forces, which do not want Ndigbo to succeed. There are those who do not think that the Civil War is over. There are forces that want to create mayhem in the state, but the challenge in the zone is to stop these predators from destroying our homestead.”   Others who attended the workshop held at he Women Development Centre, Awka, include the President General of   Ohanaeze, Chief Gary Enwo-Igariwey, chairman Inter Party  Advisory Council (IPAC), Dr. Yunusa Tanko, National Chairman of the United Peoples Party  (UPP) Chekwas Okorie, National Chairman of African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Okey Nwosu, National Chairman of Action Alliance (AA) and the Secretary of IPAC, Senator Tunde Anifowoshe.
 Also in attendance were chairman of the Anambra State Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) Sylvester Okonkwo, National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, Jerry Ugokwe who represented the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah as well as ace broadcaster and leader of the National Election Debate Group (NEDG), Aremo Taiwo Alimi.
 Meanwhile, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Chris Ngige has pledged to wipe away the tears of civil servants by paying them the minimum wage.
  Ngige made the pledge while addressing a cross section of civil society members on his plans for the state if elected as governor.
  He decried what he called poor welfare situation of workers in Anambra State.
  “Let me state that in my administration we tried to boost the morale of our civil servants by clearing the arrears of salaries owed our workers by the previous administration. We also ensured that workers were paid on time. My administration never owed civil servants arrears, not for even a day.   Today, the situation has been reversed and stories and complaints keep getting to me that workers are been owed salaries stretching into months,” the APC candidate said.

- The Guardian

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