Anambra State government has warned that it will not tolerate any kind of intimidation and lawlessness, assuring the people that it will provide a level playing field for all aspirants, candidates and political parties in the forthcoming gubernatorial election.
The government’s warning is on the backdrop of last week’s act of vandalism against Chief Val Ozigbo’s pavilion in Nnewi and the subsequent warning meant to intimidate and cow him from further campaigns in the town.
The government statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C. Don Adinuba, reflects the people’s worry that a mere subtle campaign by Chief Ozigbo to create awareness about himself and his interest to participate in the People’s Democratic Party primaries in June could attract so much hostility, wondering the extent some desperate politicians can go to silence their opponents when the campaign for primaries starts formally.
According to government’s statement, the era of gangster politics in the State was over.
The statement recalls that between 1999, when it assumed the reins of power, and 2006, when it was flushed out of power, the People’s Democratic Party unleashed so much brigandage on the State.
The statement further recalls the self-declared godfathers who siphoned the State treasury, resulting in the nonpayment of government employees for almost one year, rigging the 2003 general elections in the most brazen manner and the mayhem against Anambra people, using thousands of thugs to destroy such institutions and facilities as the Governor’s Lodge in Onitsha, Government House in Awka, Judicial Complex in Awka, House of Assembly Complex in Awka and Anambra Broadcasting Service in both Awka and Onitsha.
It went further to recall that the era witnessed the kidnap of a sitting Governor, forging of his resignation letter, and had earlier taken him to a notorious shrine in the night to swear an oath of uncritical and eternal allegiance to the so-called godfathers.
The government statement remarks that this act of irresponsible behaviour is a clear deviation from the new norm in Anambra politics.
According to the statement, the State has in the last six years built a reputation for a high level of solidarity and social harmony, having held two major elections since 2017 without an incident of violence.
It stated that during the re-inauguration of Governor Willie Obiano for a second term in March, 2018, people from various parties, including the candidates who ran against him, were present.
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