Anambra State Government says its attention has been drawn to statement being circulated by the Labour Party Caucus in the National Assembly regarding election security for the August 16 bye-elections in Anambra State, accusing Mr Governor Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo of planning to unleash thugs on opposition parties. A release signed by the State Commissioner for Information said First, government sees the accusations as laughable and baseless since election security is the primary responsibility of the police and other security agencies, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) also playing a crucial role. The government, therefore, states that it does not have a role in election security, especially in INEC-organised elections. Anambra government says it is aware of the desperation and antics of opposition political parties that are in disarray and afraid of the ruling party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and its formidable machinery in the state. The release maintains that, indeed, Anambra is APGA, and APGA is Anambra. The release read: “The attention of the Anambra State Government has been drawn to the statement being circulated by the Labour Party Caucus in the National Assembly regarding election security for the August 16 bye-elections in Anambra State, accusing Mr Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo CFR, of planning to unleash thugs on opposition parties. “First, we see the accusations as laughable and baseless since election security is the primary responsibility of the police and other security agencies, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) also playing a crucial role. “We want to categorically state that the Anambra State Government does not have a role in election security, especially in INEC-organised elections. “We are aware of the desperation and antics of opposition political parties that are in disarray and afraid of the ruling party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and its formidable machinery in the state. Indeed, Anambra is APGA, and APGA is Anambra. “The Labour Party, in particular, is advised to focus on resolving its internal crisis rather than shouting wolf in an election where they stand no chance. “The Anambra State Government has confidence in the police and INEC to ensure election security and organise free, fair, and credible elections, thus allowing the will of the electorate to prevail. “Ndi Anambra, particularly those in the constituencies involved in the Saturday, August 16 bye-elections, are therefore advised to go out en masse to vote, keep the peace, and defend their votes,” the release concluded.
