Anambra poll: Youths protest rigging, political thuggery

Youths on Tuesday protested election rigging, violence, political thuggery and other irregularities ahead of the November 6 governorship election in Anambra State.

The group, under the umbrella of Youth Advocate for Peace, Justice and Empowerment Network (YAPJEN), urged youths to resist electoral violence.

It enjoined the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to remain non-partisan and impartial in the exercise.

Addressing reporters in Awka, the National President of the group,  Timothy Nwachukwu, said the protest followed threat by one of the parties to rig the poll in favour of its candidate.

He said: “Our message is clear. We’re saying no to election rigging, violence, political thuggery and other irregularities.

“We’re calling on youths to stay away from electoral violence. We advise INEC to remain non-partisan and impartial in the exercise.

“We also urge security agencies to ensure that their loyalty is not to any party in power.

“We heard that a certain governor has threatened that his party will take over the state. Our message to him is that his state is not Anambra and Anambra is not his state. The will of the people shall prevail in the state.”