The Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano has raised an alarm over the worrisome incident of the emergence of multiple aspirants parading themselves as candidates vying for the same position on one political platform, warning that security agents in the state were fully ready to pick up anyone who violates the electoral laws.
In a Special Broadcast on the coming elections entitled – An Appeal for Peaceful Elections in Anambra State, Governor Obiano expressed concerns that some political aspirants who had not been cleared by INEC are still campaigning and parading themselves as candidates of different political parties.
Said he: “Since the publication of the final list of candidates that are duly approved by INEC to contest the coming elections, we have seen many aspirants whose names are not on the INEC list parading themselves as candidates and campaigning for election in Anambra State.”
According to him; “This is not only a total breach of the law but also a deliberate attempt to mislead the electorate and manipulate the electoral process. These booby-traps have unnecessarily heated the system in the past. They are not acceptable to Ndi Anambra today. Therefore, I wish to categorically declare that any aspirant whose name is not on the INEC List that continues to parade his or herself as a candidate for the coming elections will be assumed to be deliberately misleading the public in contravention of the electoral laws and shall face the law.
Governor Obiano consequently warned that, “All the security agencies are fully prepared to enforce the electoral laws in Anambra State and ensure a peaceful, free and fair atmosphere for the coming elections.”
Speaking further, he pointed out that, “Our Electoral Laws state very clearly that no political party is allowed to nominate MORE THAN ONE Candidate for any elective position. By implication, no political party is allowed to present 2 or 3 candidates for one elective position.”
Concluding, the governor assured all candidates whose names appeared on the INEC List that his administration had made adequate security arrangements for free and fair elections in the State.
He also reminded voters who had yet to get their Permanent Voter’s Card to take advantage of the on-going exercise to get theirs as they would not be able to vote without it. “We must all remember that the only way to ensure that the candidate of our choice emerges as the winner in the elections is by voting for him or her. Since we cannot vote without a Voter’s Card, this is our final opportunity to get one. We must not let it pass!” he declared.
