Following rumours of possible use of violence in Saturday’s governorship and Houses of Assembly elections in Enugu State, the Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in the state, Barr. Chijioke Edeoga, has urged voters to defend their votes as a way of eliminating politicians that have turned the economic resources of the state into private enterprises.
Edeoga who addressed party leaders and supporters from Aninri and Awgu local government area stated that he was aware of plans by certain political actors in the state to use violence and thuggery to influence the outcome of the polls. He, however, pointed out that the people can resist such plans when united in resilience.
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While thanking voters in Enugu for springing the Labour Party to victory in the presidential, Senate and House of Representatives elections on February 25, Edeoga urged them to repeat the same feat during the governorship elections to cement the emergence of Labour Party as the new platform for freedom and accelerated development in the state.
He said voting for Labour Party was important because it will reinforce the massive support given to the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, during the last elections, and will serve as further proof that the votes cast in Enugu was no fluke, especially given that the election is currently being contested in court.
“You do not have to be afraid of these threats of violence. They are merely trying to make you afraid. They tried it during the last election but could not succeed. We must uphold the integrity of our communities by resisting the invasion by outsiders, whether they call them Ayes, or they call them Black Axe or they call them Black.
“Thugs, whatever they are called, this victory by democratic forces, as we know is likely for Labour Party, should not be thwarted; it should not be frustrated. We have to make sure that the right of individuals; women, men, and youths; to vote freely, without coercion, without disturbance, without humiliation; to vote who they choose must be maintained.
Continuing, the Labour Party governorship candidate, said, “Enugu State is touted as a peaceful place. Any effort, whether clandestine or open; any threat to disturb the peace of Enugu State should be resisted.”
He reminded the people of the state that the direction of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was for people to stay at their polling centres until results are counted and uploaded and urged them to resist any attempt by any electoral officer or agent to move away from polling stations or collation centres without announcing and uploading the results to the INEC portal.