Anambra REC, Queen Elizabeth Agwu said insecurity in Igboland is caused by indigenes and not imported persons, adding, “We must hold the 2023 election.”
By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Anambra State, Queen Elizabeth Agwu, has urged youths in the state to take over their land following the upsurge in the activities of gunmen.
She made the call after receiving reports that gunmen set ablaze buildings belonging to the Anambra State Deputy Speaker, Pascal Agbodike and one of the traditional rulers in the state a few days ago.
The gunmen also attacked two buildings belonging to the President-General of Osumoghu, Nze Denis Muomaife.
The series of attacks necessitated stakeholders meeting in Anambra South senatorial zone with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to discuss the 2023 general elections.
The Anambra REC, Queen Elizabeth Agwu asked the stakeholders in Anambra South whether elections would be held in the volatile communities.
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In his response, Muomaife, said there are efforts at the communities level to deal with the issues by setting up a Peace and Reconciliation Committee in making sure that such issues would be tackled in no time.
Addressing the stakeholders, the REC, Queen Elizabeth Agwu, said it was time the youth in Anambra State take possession of their lands and protect the people.
She said insecurity in Igboland was caused by the indigenes and not imported persons, adding, “We must hold the 2023 election, it must be credible and the votes must count. This is the time for the youth to rise up in different communities to protect their people.
“We have prepared for the election with materials and men. What we need from communities is to collect their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs). Non-sensitive materials have been distributed already.
“Anything that is done that will make the election not successful in Anambra South should be resisted. Anyone caught doing abnormal things during the election will not be alive to tell the story.
“I’m relying on the President-Generals in all the communities and traditional rulers to secure their areas during the election. Let us avoid suppressing ourselves,” Agwu said
The REC further said that the corporate existence of Nigeria depended on the 2023 election. “This nation is seriously depleted today and that is why we are talking about unity.
“Voter education concerns and affects everyone in this country. There are so many ways it affects us, but the problem we have here is our penchant for pursuing money,” she said.