Despite the Indigenous People of Biafra’s (IPOB) threat to lockdown Anambra State and other South-East states for five days, including the election date which is six days away, there are indications that Anambra people are eager to participate in the election.
While many people are enthusiastic about voting, others believe that, while the threat may cause voter apathy, it will not prevent the election from taking place.
Messrs. Okwuchukwu Onah and Nkem James, residents of Ekwulobia in the Aguata council area, Saturday said they were ready to participate in the election.
“I live here in Awka, and my house is not very far from the polling station where I always vote; so I do not see going out to vote as being dangerous,” said Mr. Onah, a trader at EkeAwka Market.
“On election day, I will go out and vote,” Mr. James said. I’ve heard there will be a lot of security, but we’re not counting on them for protection; however, I’m confident that we’ve always moved around in this community, even on days when we stayed at home. We know who we are here, and we will recognize new faces who are trying to cause trouble. “Everyone in this community knows everyone else,” he explained.
In response to how the threat from IPOB and the insecurity in the zone may affect the election, a candidate in the election, Dr. Obiora Okonkwo of the Zenith Labour Party, revealed and expressed optimism that the election will take place and that it will be successful.
“Don’t forget that voter apathy has always existed in Anambra State, even when there were no threats,” he said. Only 230,000 people voted for Chief Willie Obiano in the last election, and he was declared the winner. This means that the winner of the election this year may receive fewer than 150,000 votes. The important thing is that there will be a winner.
“As a result, we are not expecting a large turnout this year, but we are confident that the election will be held.” I am also confident that I will win the election. We know who our supporters are and where the votes can be found. I am a senatorial candidate from the Central senatorial zone, and I am the only candidate from the zone with the most votes in the state. So we know where the votes are, and whether it’s because of apathy or not, we already know who will vote for us,” he explained.
Ada Peter
