Nsukka Professionals Association in Enugu calls for credible, fair, peaceful elections
By Ifeoma Ikem
The Nsukka Professionals Association (NPA), a non-partisan and concern stakeholders in Enugu State has called for a credible ,fair practice and peace in the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in the state, amongst all the contestant in political parties.
Mr Charles Nwodo Jr, the president of the association made the call while briefing journalists in Lagos on Tuesday.
Nwodo identified the association as a non partisan and solely committed professionals who stand to build their communities for the betterment of the lives of the common indigent people.
He said there is the need to warn Politicians, their supporters and the police to make sure that no form of mayhem is experienced during the elections.
He expressed dissatisfaction over allegation that some desperate politicians in Enugu State want to compromise some key officials of INEC and other security agencies with a view to frustrating the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in the gubernatorial election slated for Saturday March 18, 2023.
He noted that the Independent National Electoral Comission (INEC) Enugu state official has been accused of being the coordinator of the plots to disenfranchise Enugu electorate from exercising their civic right.
He called on the INEC Chairman, Prof. MAHMOOD YAKUBU to immediately relieve his staff of all official activities relating to the forthcoming gubernatorial election, so as to reinforce the credibility of the electoral process.
“We consider it expedient to raise the alarm about these disturbing pieces of information and draw the attention of the President, His Excellency, Mohammed Buhari, the Inspector of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, the Chairman of INEC, the International Community and fellow Nigerians of goodwill to the looming danger that these developments portend for Enugu state and Nigeria, and indeed to the survival of democracy in our land should these plan materialize”.
Nwodo also called on the security agencies to fish out those involved in the assassination of the former Labour Party candidate for Enugu-East Senatorial district, who was murdered few weeks before the National Assembly elections.
He appealed to the security agencies to pay special attention to the red flags enumerated by the association and thoroughly ascertain the veracity of the information.
“We also implored INEC to strengthen its election administration machinery in Enugu state ahead of the March 18 governorship and state Assembly elections as well as the bye-election for the Senatorial seat of Enugu East.
“The people of Enugu state, like the rest of NIGERIA, deserve a free, fair and credible election as promised by the Federal Government”.
He said the association is determined to collaborate with the Press, local and international observers and indeed everyone who wishes Enugu state well to ensure a free and credible elections.
“We have a support package to assist reporters from accredited news medium to cover the elections in Enugu-North SENATORIAL zone of Enugu state”.
Nwodo, however, on behalf of the association announced a donation of one million naira to the family of the slain politician in humanitarian solidarity for their grief.
