The Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) and the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA have been jointly and separately upbraided by all other parties for ungentlemanly conducts and acts against other political parties and their governorship candidates in Anambra state ahead the forthcoming Nov16,2013 guber poll in the state.
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>> This was disclosed by the state chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Chief Sam Oraegbunam in an exclusive interview with journalists in Awka at the end of a stakeholders tactical meeting by the Police high command, INEC and the parties as part of run up to the election.
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>> The LP chief expressed confidence in the electoral system, including the efforts of all the stakeholders especially the security agencies, INEC and the political parties as well as the LP governorship candidate, Dr Ifeanyi Ubah admitting he has faith in the process.
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>> On the doubts by some other parties over a free and fair poll, The LP Chairman said his party is ready for the election and he said that INEC, Police and other agencies are getting ready too.
>> Reacting to fears and apprehension for the forthcoming election, if any, Oraegbunam acknowledged that the All Progressives Grand Alliance(APGA) administration of Gov Peter Obi was reported on the floor of the meeting of heating up the state’s polity through some unwholesome political acts and utterances that if not checked would snowball into security issues. One such issues, he stated was the pulling down of the billboards of other opposing parties’ candidates in parts of the state by agents of APGA masking as government revenue officials.
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>> More so, chief Oraegbunam stated that Obi’s administration was accused of employing all manner if subtle methods to stifle all avenue left for the other political parties to publicist, announce or advertise their candidates/ manifestos. That, “besides pulling down their billboards, stopping their paid television/radio commercials and news, the government have been using sundry frivolous charges on them to attempt to stop them. Though such is expected from a desperate man like Gov Obi”., the LP chief noted.
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>> He however denied any mention of the alleged procurement of fake police, army and NYSC uniforms by some desperate politicians for nefarious use during the election. He pointed out that without wishing such away entirely, it could be the voice of an unprepared candidate or party.
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>> He noted that every citizen of the state is now so politically aware that any such act on the Election Day would be futile
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>> For his candidate, Dr Ifeanyi Ubah, he said he has done his bit, campaigned vigorously, rigorously and effectively and has touched, spoken to and visited every part of Anambra state and has raised so much awareness for a change, and wish the people speak with their votes in is favour.
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>> He said as an ordinary citizen he has donated transformers, built roads and intervened between Anambra citizens and some state governments and would do more when elected as a governor.
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>> However the national chairman of APGA, chief Victor Umeh simply noted that his party’s embattled candidate, Willie Obianor will do well. He touted Obi’s achievements and believed it would attest for the party in the election.
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>> The chairman of APC, Chief Chuks Chinwuba said he believed in the electoral successes of INEC’s Prof Atwhiru Jega, that they would do a good job, especially since it is only Anambra that is having election. So the commission would mobilize all its crack officers to the state.
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>> He want INEC to drop the idea of using adhoc staff but to mobilize its staff from other states especially the senior ones who would not like to trade their gratuity and pension for any mess of political pottage.
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>> On the reported plans by some persons to use fake police, army and NYSC during the election, Chinwuba said its unfortunate. He claimed such happened during the last election where some parties rigged and now want to repeat again, he wished that every citizen fight for their votes and protect it too.
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>> For the PDP, despite the cloud hovering over the actual candidate, Tony Nwoye said he would carry the day. Just as Nicholas Ukachukwu is anxiously using both the law courts and his mouth to fight to have the edge.
>> Besides, the state chairman, Ken Emeakayi in his reaction stated that, “the preparations for the forthcoming governorship election in the state is everything but free, fair and transparent. The Resident Electoral Commissioner and Senior members of INEC in the state are already compromised.
>> “INEC has concluded plans to appoint known APGA members and supporters as adhoc staff for the conduct of the said election, and our members and supporters are being intimidated…”, Emeakayi added.
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>> An elder statesman Engr Arthur Eze leading other party big wigs a member of the BOT Max Okudoh, Dr Anieze Chinwuba, Dr Nnamdi Oduah, Chief Sam Nwosu, Chief Felix Oli and Mrs Jessie Balonwu. Others are Hon Emma Uchieze, Prince Ossy Ezenwa, Tony Mcfoy Akachukwu and the deputy to Nwoye, Dr Amanchukwu Ezike has raised the stakes so high with a mouth watering package for all wards where PDP come out tops.
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>> They noted that they would set the pace for all other parties who have been going round enticing the electorates with base gifts.
