The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will on Tuesday hold a crucial stakeholders’ meeting in Awka ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Anambra State.
The meeting is expected to be attended by prominent personalities from the state, including former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; oil magnate, Prince Arthur Eze; businessman, Sir Emeka Offor; and the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi.
Also expected at the forum are Governor Chukwuma Soludo, all 16 governorship candidates contesting in the November 8 poll, and other key stakeholders.
Representatives of various security agencies – including the Police, Army, Navy, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) – will also be in attendance.
According to INEC, the meeting will focus on the commission’s level of preparedness, operational procedures, and security arrangements for the election.
Details of the event were contained in a statement obtained by The Nation on Sunday in Awka. The statement, signed by Obianyo K.C., Administrative Secretary for the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Queen Elizabeth Agwu, also invited political party leaders, the media, civil society organisations (CSOs), and election observers to participate.
“The forum will have in attendance political parties participating in the election, their candidates, the media, and civil society organisations, as well as ordinary citizens,” the statement read.
The meeting will take place at the Prof. Dora Akunyili Women’s Development Centre, Awka.
Confirming the arrangement, the Head of Voter Education and Publicity Department, Mrs Ijeoma Obali, said the participation of Anambra’s eminent citizens such as Anyaoku and Eze would enrich the deliberations.
“The commission is doing everything possible to make a strong statement through the Anambra election on Saturday,” she said. “We’ll get there by doing our best.”
