As preparations intensify for Saturday’s governorship election in Anambra, the Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, has raised concerns over insecurity in the state.
Itodo, in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, said insecurity remains a major challenge, particularly in riverine and high-risk areas.
“The second biggest issue [ahead of the election] relates to insecurity in some hot spots and riverine areas. If security agencies don’t provide protection for INEC officials and materials, deployment will be difficult,” he said on Thursday.
The YIAGA chief urged security operatives to collaborate with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure safe and smooth conduct of the exercise.
“We hope the security agencies cooperate with INEC and provide the necessary security. So far, everything seems peaceful, and the state is primed for voting,” he added.
Despite the challenges, Itodo is however, optimistic that voter turnout would improve compared to the 2021 election.
“We hope for a high turnout because, in 2021, the state only recorded about 20.1 per cent, which was abysmally low,” he noted.
He commended INEC’s new leadership for its readiness and expressed confidence that the commission would commence the poll promptly.
“With the assurances from the new INEC chairman, we hope the commission breaks the jinx of late commencement,” Itodo said.
