Steer clear from polling stations or risk deportation, Immigration boss warns foreigners in Anambra

Aloysius Attah, Onitsha

Comptroller of Immigration, Anambra State command, Miriam Audu, has warned non-Nigerians residing in the state to totally disengage themselves and avoid any involvement in the electoral process as Nigerians go to the polls.

Audu who gave the warning in Awka during a stakeholders’ sensitisation meeting of non-Nigerians in Anambra towards the 2019 general elections, said that any foreigner caught subverting the electoral process not only risks deportation but will be prosecuted according to the law.

She reminded the migrants through their leaders of their apolitical roles as aliens, especially in the light of the coming election and enjoined them to ensure they did not jeopardise the cordial relationship between them and the command, while also imploring them not to allow themselves to be coerced or used by any politician during the period.

“I wish to warn that no foreigner should allow himself/herself to be used to meddle in the forthcoming electoral process in the state either through persuasion, coercion, harassment, intimidation, duress or outright bribery.

“Such meddlesomeness not acceptable in any part of the world, and we therefore, warn that any foreigner that is caught subverting the electoral process will not just be deported but will be tried according to the country’s electoral laws.”

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She further disclosed that the sensitisation became imperative against the backdrop of the retrieval of some voter’s cards, national identity cards and Anambra State identity card from some foreigners.

The comptroller also commended the service headquarters, Abuja and Anambra State government for providing them logistics for close monitoring of the activities of foreigners in the local government areas as the elections approach.

She also encouraged them to relinquish any Permanent Voters Card (PVCs) if there is any in their possession even as she assured that the command would be on ground to ensure that no foreigner was sighted around the voting points.

Responding, the President of Ghanaian community in the state, John Forson and his Cameroonian counterpart, Walter Mugri, promised to take the information to their people before the election, while assuring that they would ensure they fully complied with the directives of the command.