The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, at a special meeting of the inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) on the Anambra governorship election at the INEC conference room, Abuja, on Monday, disclosed the swearing in of two INEC National Commissioners by President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday afternoon. He, therefore, introduce to ICCES, Kunle Cornelius Ajayi, a Professor of Political Science at the Ekiti State University, and Muhammad Sani Kallah, a retired Professor of Ecology and Range Management at the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria as the new National Commissioners, representing the South West and North West geo-political zones, respectively.
He acquainted the new National Commissioners that work in INEC begins in earnest. “You have joined the Commission on the eve of a major election and your first activity is this ICCES meeting. Next week, we will move to the field in Anambra State. You are welcome to INEC,” he said.
Yakubu recalled that the ICCES members held an emergency meeting three weeks ago to review preparations for the Anambra State Governorship election. He emphasised that since then, so much has been achieved, noting that the commission’s preparations for the election have been going on unhindered. “However, it is the tradition of ICCES to review preparations on the eve of every off-season Governorship election where the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) and the Commissioner of Police of the State come to brief us on electoral and security preparations as a routine pre-election activity. It is, therefore, my pleasure to welcome the REC, Dr Nkwachukwu Orji, and Commissioner of Police, Echeng E. Echeng, to this meeting,” he said.
The INEC chairman noted that the 2021 Anambra State Governorship election is holding in the next 12 days on 6th November 2021. “Our deployment of non-sensitive materials and training of personnel for the election have virtually been concluded.
“The Commission has successfully accomplished 12 out of the 14 activities listed in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election released in January this year. “The two outstanding activities are the last day of campaign, at midnight on Thursday 4th November 2021 and Election Day which remains Saturday 6th November 2021,” Prof. Yakubu highlighted’
He added that the REC for Anambra State was at the meeting to fully provide an update on the implementation of other activities and INEC’s general state of readiness for the election.
Yakubu stated that INEC is determined to proceed with the Anambra State Governorship election as scheduled. “The safety and protection of voters, our personnel, accredited observers, the media and materials are cardinal considerations in any election. “We have been assured by the security agencies of a secure environment for the election.
“I am sure the CP Anambra State in his briefing, will provide more details regarding preparations on the ground. I wish to place on record the continued support of security agencies to the Commission during elections.
“Particularly noteworthy is the high level of professional conduct of the agencies in the last two major elections in Edo and Ondo states.
“Indeed, Edo and Ondo have become the standard for securing elections in Nigeria. “The professionalism and neutrality exhibited by the security agencies in the two elections have been widely praised nationally and internationally. We are confident that this will be replicated in Anambra State,” Yakubu stated.
He, then expressed the profound gratitude of the Commission for the support they have received from religious, traditional and community leaders for peaceful elections. The Commission is also working with the National Peace Committee under the leadership of a former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, to bring all political parties and candidates for the Anambra State Governorship election to commit to peace before, during and after the elections, he said.
He maintained that the commission appreciated the wide-ranging support, reassuring the registered voters in Anambra State that the choice of the next Governor lies in their hands.
“I urge all and sundry to play their part in ensuring a free, fair, credible and peaceful Governorship election in Anambra State,” he said.
In attendance were the National Security Adviser (NSA), Co-Chair of ICCES, Babagana Monguno; Representative of the Corps Marshal of the FRSC, the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Representative of the DG of DSS, representatives of Various Security Organisations,
other members of ICCES, National Commissioners, Senior Officials of the Commission and Members of the INEC Press Corps.