President Goodluck Jonathan Wednesday led a rally organized by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Onitsha, Anambra State on behalf of Tony Nwoye, its governorship candidate.
Speaking at the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha during the rally, Jonathan warned that anyone caught rigging the weekend election will be dealt with accordingly no matter how popular or highly placed, adding that security agencies have been positioned to carry out their duties without fear or favour.
He said Saturday’s election would afford the state the opportunity to regain its rightful position in the political main stream and called on the electorate vote for Nwoye whom he described as a young man with great leadership attributes.
He observed that the date picked for the election was significant in that it is also the birthday of one of Nigeria’s foremost nationals and urged the people of the state to shun election irregularities.
The national chairman of PDP, Bamanga Tukur, who was also at the event said Nwoye was poised to transform the state.
Also present were governor of Akwa-Ibom state, Godswill Akpabio; the state chairman of PDP, Ken Emeakayi; Arthur Eze, a PDP financier; Anayo Nnebe, former speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly among others.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said the November 16 gubernatorial election in Anambra would be an improvement on past elections.
The national chairman of the commission, Attahiru Jega, gave the assurance at a forum with the political party leaders, candidates and stakeholders in Awka, saying the past mistakes encountered in some polling units in the state had been addressed.
“We would continue to improve on this process in the country until a desirable standard is achieved. We have conducted fair and free elections in Edo, Ondo and Anambra will not only be different, but better,” he said.
He said the 4,608 polling units and 326 wards in the state would be manned adequately by the security operatives and naval personnel in riverine areas.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Chukwuemeka Onukaogu, said the distribution of election materials would be done on Thursday and Friday.
Also speaking at the event, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, urged politicians and other stakeholders in the gubernatorial election to play by the rules of the game.
Abubakar warned all police personnel involved in the election to be meticulous, firm and ensure that nothing untoward happens within their areas of jurisdiction.
He cautioned them against any conduct capable of tarnishing their names and that of the police.