Campaign for Good Governance (CGG), civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations and ex-militants in Delta State yesterday vowed to resist any attempt by external forces to intimidate the people in the 2019 election.

Addressing a press conference in Ughelli, CGG national coordinator, Prince Obaro Unuafe, described as undemocratic a statement credited to the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, suggesting that he would ensure the deployment of “federal might” to unseat Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

Unuafe and CGG national secretary, Azu Kawekwune, appealed to security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to show professionalism by refusing to be compromised.

“We stand by free and fair governorship election in 2019 and we shall resist vehemently any attempt by external forces to use force, intimidation or coercion to drive fear into hearts of the electorate in 2019.

“The statements credited to Adams Oshiomhole are undemocratic and we shall watch closely to see the crude methods he would deploy in the 2019 governorship election in Delta State,” Unuafe said.

He called on the Urhobo, Isoko, Ijaw, Itsekiri and the Anioma to “shun tribalism and come out en masse to vote” for the candidates of their choice without intimidation, fear or favour.

“We remain committed to the ideals of democracy, rule of law and peace, and would do everything in our power to safeguard them against those who have a premeditated plan to scuttle peace and development in Delta State.”