Labour Party governorship candidate in Anambra State, George Moghalu, has challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a transparent and credible election on Saturday, saying the exercise is a crucial test of the commission’s integrity.
The governorship election, slated for November 8, will determine whether the incumbent governor, Charles Soludo, secures a second term in office. INEC has cleared 16 political parties, including the Labour Party, to participate in the exercise.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday, November 6, Moghalu said INEC must use the opportunity to rebuild public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system.
“I will give INEC the benefit of doubt; it will be most unfair of me to sit down here and write them off,” Moghalu said.
“They have the responsibility to deliver free, fair, and credible election to Anambra people. It is an opportunity for INEC to redeem their image, do what is right and restore the confidence of the people in our election,” he added.
READ ALSO: Atiku: Anambra Election Will Show if INEC Chairman Can Deliver Free, Fair Poll
Moghalu also expressed confidence in the security arrangements for the poll, saying he believed security agencies were prepared to maintain peace throughout the process.
“The confidence is that the security agencies, once they become professional and do what they are expected to do, I’m certain that we have peace and a credible environment to have peace,” he said.
He dismissed concerns about potential disruptions from separatist groups, insisting that neither the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) nor its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), had the capacity to obstruct the election.
“I believe also, the IPOB, ESN, or whatever they go by, they don’t have the capacity to stop our election,” he stated.
“The point I’m making here, since I have the platform, is to appeal to the security agencies to be very professional. Do what is right, provide the security, provide the enabling environment,” he said.