Ignore IPOB, exercise your franchise, NOA tells voters

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has urged the people of Anambra to disregard threat by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and vote en masse in Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

IPOB had recently announced a ‘vote and die’ ultimatum against voters.

In a statement yesterday, NOA’s Director General, Dr. Garba Abari, said security agencies were prepared to ensure the safety of voters before, during and after the election.

He described the threat as an attempt by miscreants to undermine the will of the people, using baseless intimidation in pursuit of their selfish goals.

He gave assurance that the poll would hold as scheduled and would be without security problems.

He said: “The renewed threat is not taking the authorities by surprise. Adequate measures to checkmate the excesses of IPOB and other unlawful groups with regard to the Anambra election are already fully in place. The security agencies are prepared to forestall any breakdown of law and order and protect voters, other election actors and the general public for a hitch free election.

“Also, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is very prepared to conduct the election. Let no one be afraid or in doubt; the Anambra governorship election will hold on November 18, 2017 and will be free, fair, credible and devoid of incidences. The electorate is therefore implored to turn out en masse, without fear of intimidation, and freely cast their votes.”