The people of Anambra State will this morning go out to cast their votes in a bid to choose who will occupy the exalted position of the next governor of the state.
Although 37 political parties are participating in the contest, it promises to be a straight battle among three major ones –The All Progressives Grand Alliance, Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress.
While the incumbent, Governor Willie Obiano, is APGA’s candidate, the PDP is presenting Mr. Oseloka Obaze while Tony Nwoye is the candidate of the APC.
The build up to the election which holds today has underscored the importance of the state to the major parties.
While APGA wants to maintain the state as its stronghold, PDP has always considered Anambra to be its traditional base.
For the All Progressives Congress, it will be time to actualise its desire to add Anambra State to the ones under its control.
READ ALSO: Anambra guber: TMG panics over voters’ apathy
Ahead of today’s exercise, the atmosphere has been charged and the frenzy was palpable across the country.
The seriousness of the situation, it would be recalled led to the sudden withdrawal of the security aides of Governor Obiano by the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris.
His reason, he said, was to allow for a level playing field for all who might want to contest for the governorship seat.
The uproar that greeted the action of the police boss showed the level of disaffection it attracted.
With the condemnation that came from almost all Nigerians, President Muhammadu Buhari must have felt scandalized hence the order that the governor’s security aides should be reinstated.
The parties took their turn to canvass for the votes of the people of the state.
It was of course not a mere coincidence that the visit of the president to the South East and in fact Anambra State came few days to the election.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan and other chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party were also on ground to support their own, Mr. Oseloka Obaze.
And of course, with APGA having the incumbent as its candidate, the party’s campaign was unceasing.
From all indications, the Independent National Electoral Commission appears to be set for the exercise.
With materials, said to be ready and its personnel on ground, it is not expected that there would be problem of logistics and materials.
“We are committed to providing a level playing field for all candidates and political parties. I like to state with confidence that we are ready for the election,” Resident Electoral Commissioner, Nkwachukwu Orji, had assured.
The Nigeria Police Force is also set to ensure the security of, not only the people, but INEC officials and the materials.
That is why no fewer than 21,000 men were deployed for the exercise.
The emphasis on the security became pertinent in view of the threat by the Indigenous People of Biafra to scuttle the process.
In view of this, the police had warned against any plan by anyone to disturb the process.
Said Force Public Relations Office, Mr. Jimoh Moshood: “They (IPOB) should steer clear of Anambra because we have deployed enough personnel in the state; any miscreant who misbehaves would have himself to blame as he would be dealt with. IPOB should not test our will or resolve.”
With all set and the people determined to express their freedom, it is obvious that this is a day for Anambra people to decide who leads them.
