Young Professionals Task INEC On  Free, Fair Polls In Imo

Coalition of Imo Young Professionals (CIYP) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies to ensure the November 11 governorship election in Imo State is free, fair and credible.

They added that based on grassroots survey reports at their disposal, the people of the state seriously yearn for a change of government through the November gubernatorial election.

They also declared their support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

Addressing a press conference yesterday in Abuja, the national coordinator of CTYP, Chukwuemeka Emmanuel, however said they are deeply worried by recent political realities and media reports ahead of the Imo election.

“You will all, doubtlessly, recall the recent political persecution meted out on some Imo traditional rulers in a particular senatorial district because of their reception for a particular opposition gubernatorial candidate.

“You will all, also, recall recent media reports suggesting that the incumbent Governor of Imo State, H.E. Senator Hope Uzodimma, has perfected plans to ‘support’ INEC with vehicles and cash gifts to aid their activities during the forthcoming Imo State November 2023 gubernatorial election.”

He lamented that the groundswell of political activities and plans ahead of the gubernatorial election is highly prejudicial towards the possibility of free and fair elections.

Decrying the security situation in the state, he said “judging from grassroots survey reports at our disposal, the good people of Imo State are seriously yearning for a change of government through the November gubernatorial election.”

He added, “Our research has revealed to us that most Imolites are favorably disposed to the idea of having the Distinguished Senator Samuel Anyanwu, aka Senator Samdaddy, of the PDP, getting voted into power, in November, as the next Executive Governor of Imo State.”

He continued, “Today, we wish, first and foremost, to call on H.E. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, the father of modern progressive politics in Nigeria, to please use his good offices as the President of the Federal Republic, to enforce free and fair elections in Imo State come November 2023.

“In the same vein, we wish to call on the IGP, the DG-DSS, and all National Security Chiefs that will deploy their personnel for electoral day duties during Imo 2023, to patriotically bear true allegiance to the Constitution of the Federal Republic by esteeming democratic integrity as a non-negotiable value far above all other possible considerations on Imo 2023.”

The CIYP national coordinator urged the Imo electorate to legitimately ensure the election is free and fair.

Listing the agenda for the next governor he said “First, there is the issue of the need for the restoration of security of lives and properties to Imo State. Second, there is the issue of the need to enforce the equitable distribution of power amidst Imo State’s senatorial districts in accordance with the well-established principle of power rotation unhindered by a concocted alien right of first refusal being espoused by the Imo Charter of Equity.

“Third, there is the issue of accessibility to the grassroots; which is clearly a strong suite for Senator Samdaddy. Fourth, there is the Issue of faithfulness in public office; which again favors Senator Anyanwu,” he said.