By Emma Njoku
A governorship aspirant in the forthcoming election in Anambra State, Chudi Offodile, has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of working against a free and fair election in the state.
The two-term member of the House of Representatives who is contesting on the election on the platform of the United Progressive Party (UPP) said the manner the electoral umpire and some of the political parties were conducting themselves ahead of the November 18 poll would vindicate Nnamdi Kaneohe, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in his call for boycott of the election.
The statement read: “The President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, recently issued a ‘countermand’ to the order of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) calling for the boycott of the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra State. The South East Governors Forum and other elected representatives have also joined in the pushback against the boycott order. The All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) took it a bit further by launching vitriolic attacks on Kanu for daring to make such a call.”
Offodile said while he would not subscribe to the idea of a boycott of the governorship election this November or of the 2019 general elections, “it is important that we do not rush to condemn the call for boycott without examining very carefully the desperation of certain political office seekers representing external interests and the preparedness and neutrality of INEC and security forces or the lack of it.
“I have observed a curious pattern of deployment of INEC officials to take charge of sensitive positions in Anambra State ahead of the November governorship election. Some of the officers moved to Anambra State had earlier been indicted for electoral offences in the past. Someone may have decided that their “expertise” is required for the November election.”
He said the need to have a free, fair and peaceful election should be the focus of all well-meaning citizens and the political parties participating in the election.