INEC Convenes Stakeholders’ Forum With Eminent Citizens

Ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Anambra State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will tomorrow (Tuesday) hold a crucial stakeholders’ meeting in Awka.

The meeting will be attended by prominent personalities from the state, including former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; oil magnate, Prince Arthur Eze; businessman, Sir Emeka Offor; and the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Mr Peter Obi.

Also expected at the meeting are Governor Chukwuma Soludo and all 16 governorship candidates contesting in the November 8 poll, alongside other key stakeholders.

Representatives of various security agencies, including the Police, Army, Navy, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), are equally scheduled to attend.

According to INEC, the forum will focus on discussing the processes, procedures, and general state of preparedness for the Anambra governorship election.

The information was contained in a document obtained by The Nation on Sunday in Awka. The statement, e-signed by Obianyo K.C., Administrative Secretary for the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Queen Elizabeth Agwu, also invited political party leaders to attend.

“The forum will have in attendance political parties participating in the election, their candidates, the media, and civil society organisations (CSOs), election observers, security agencies, as well as ordinary citizens,” the statement read.

The event will be held at the Prof. Dora Akunyili Women’s Development Centre, Awka.

Confirming the meeting, the Head of Department (Voter Education and Publicity), Mrs Ijeoma Obali, told The Nation that the presence of Anambra’s eminent citizens, such as Anyaoku and Eze, would add great value to the deliberations.

“The commission is doing everything possible to make a strong statement through the Anambra election on Saturday,” she said. “We’ll get there by doing our best.”