INEC Brands Ihiala Most Challenging Council In Anambra

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has branded
Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State as the most challenging
council area in the State, where the commission fears to send its
officials during elections due to the activities of political thugs
and moneybags.

The State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Edwin Nwatarali,
who disclosed this while receiving the executive members of Ihiala
Grassroots Progressive Initiative in his office, stated that the type
of arms and ammunition being brandished by politicians in the council
area at every election was worrisome.

He said it took the intervention of armed soldiers to bring out the
officials of the commission from the council area during the 2015
polls.

His words: "Ihiala people need constant voter education from kindred
to associations/institutions, wards to local government level because
activities of political gladiators and interests at the council area
are quiet alarming.

They hardly play the game according to the rule.

"To most of them, election is either a do -or -die affair. Once it is
election time, you will see the moneybags and their thugs brandishing
all kinds of weapons to eliminate their political opponents. It is
terrible! It took God's grace to salvage our officials from them at
2015 polls."

The police and their weapons could not scare the thugs, who were armed
with modern sophisticated weapons. It was the quick intervention of
armed Nigerian soldiers that saved our officials from the daredevil.

"At every election, they will come to us pleading for help. When you
ask what kind of help they needed from you, they will quickly ask you
to name your price, vowing to pay in cash, cheques or appointment;
just for you to rig the election to their favour", he said.
Nwatarali stated that INEC needed well equipped collation centre due
to non-conducive accommodation and infrastructural decay at its
present office.

Earlier, the delegation from Ihiala Grassroot Progressive Initiative
called for partnership with INEC in resolving the challenges facing
the commission at every poll in the council area.

-TheSunNews