Barely 42 hours to the Imo State off-cycle governorship election, the Council of Elders has declared that Imo is peaceful and fully ready for the election
At a press conference held Thursday in Owerri, the Chairman of Imo State Council of Elders, HRH Eze Cletus Ilomuanya said that Imo people are very excited about the forthcoming governorship election in the State and are not even aware of any factual evidence or proof of the childish rumours of insecurity or any form of public unrest at all which he blamed on some disgruntled folks who are desperately pursuing self-serving interests
He disclosed the State Council of Elders’ assurances to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Staff conducting the election as well as all security personnel to be deployed for the election, of the maximum cooperation of Imo people, who are naturally very hospitable.
According to him the Council is, however, disturbed at deliberate attempts by some persons to foist hardship and create rancour among Imo people describing it as condemnable
Ilomuanya who is also the traditional ruler of Obinugwu autonomous community in Orlu LGA of Imo State advised anybody who is averse to democracy to rethink because according to him democracy is the most representative form of government anywhere in the world.
The body commended the governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma for not only assuring of a level playing ground for all political parties and their candidates but for also practically seeing to it
He said: “We appreciate the governor for marching his promises of ensuring a free, fair and credible election with proven actions, and for not being self centered even as a candidate also contesting the election”.
The Elders Council expressed joy that by indices, the people are pleased with the preparations by both INEC and the security agencies ahead of the election.
He regretted certain misleading and unfounded information being circulated, especially through social media by some enemies of democracy in Imo State which he described as an unnecessary politically motivated gang-up against Imo State government and the constant circulation of all manners of falsehood aimed at destabilizing the November 11, 2023 governorship election in the State.
He said: “From our investigations, we discovered that there is a determined effort by some faceless persons to blackmail the State government and security agencies in the State, intimidate those saddled with election duties, and create a false picture of heightened insecurity in order to scare away Imo people from exercising their constitutional right to vote in the forthcoming election.
He said: “we are indeed, baffled at what the sponsors of these fake alarms and unpatriotic actions at this material time, intend to achieve even when the people have already resolved to participate fully in the November 11, 2023 governorship election”.
The picture shows HRH Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, Chairman Imo State Council of Elders and Traditional Ruler of Obinugwu autonomous community in Orlu LGA sitting at the centre facing microphone flanked with other members during the press conference held Thursday in Owerri.
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