FG cautions IPOB against disruption of Anambra guber poll

strong>Protest over Buhari’s visit to Imo, Kanu’s detention

The Federal Government, yesterday, declared that it will not allow any separatist group to disrupt the November 6, 2021 governorship election in Anambra State.

National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd.), gave the warning at a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) in Abuja.

Monguno spoke against the backdrop of some of the recent activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the Southeast, lamenting that hoodlums attacked government facilities and burnt the Anambra State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in May this year.

Although, the police accused members of IPOB of being responsible for the attacks, the group refuted the allegation, a development that had ignited apprehension that IPOB might mobilise residents of the state to boycott the governorship election.

But Monguno, who was represented by Sanusi Galadima, warned that government would not tolerate any attempts by groups or persons to disrupt the poll.

“With the prevalence of security threats occasioned by different dissident separatist groups in the Southeast region of the country, who are bent on scuttling government’s efforts at achieving national cohesion and undermining the democratic processes in the country, the Federal Government will not tolerate any group or persons planning to disrupt the smooth conduct of elections by any means,” he said.

Monguno, therefore, assured robust security deployment to counter any threats and ensuring peaceful conduct of the elections.

Speaking at the meeting, the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said the commission had made arrangements to replace materials that were lost during the #EndSARS attack on its office in Awka.

He revealed that plans were underway to rebuild the facilities, which, he said, would be completed before the governorship election.

BESIDES, residents of Anambra State, yesterday, strengthened the sit-at-home ordered by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to protest against President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to Imo State and show solidarity with its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

People stayed at home in the state, discussing the development in groups, while children turned any available space into football pitches, as markets, shops, supermarkets, offices, and banks were closed.

Also, filling stations, motor parks, and hotels closed for business, while few people were seen in the streets in Awka, as major roads, including the Onitsha-Awka-Enugu expressway and old Enugu road, were almost deserted with few vehicular movements.

MEANWHILE, the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) has asked IPOB to reconsider its sit-at-home order in the interest of students of the Southeast region, who are writing their WAEC examinations.

In a statement by President General of COSEYL, Goodluck Ibem, and Secretary, Kanice Igwe, the group urged IPOB to reconsider their plan in view of its effect on families who depend on daily jobs to feed.