Senator Athan Achonu, a candidate for the Labour Party, says the party will not permit political thugs to steal votes or interfere with the election in Imo State, which will be held on November 11.
When he met with some residents of Imo State in Abuja on Sunday, he said this.
Despite the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) allegedly being intimidated by thugs and some police officers during the most recent general elections, Senator Achonu expressed confidence that the INEC will deliver a free and fair election.
“It is clear from what transpired during the most recent state elections held in Imo State. Because thugs were employed to prevent INEC from performing their official duties during the previous election, I don’t want to pre-empt the court because the case is still pending, but I do believe I have some faith in them.
“They used thugs; they used the police to suppress INEC. Nobody will be faced with that type of thuggery that went on and will not protect himself and his life. The police are Nigerians, the military are Nigerians; they have children also. So, I have a level of confidence in INEC and I believe that we are going to be able to protect our votes.
“Nobody can tamper with our votes and nobody can move collation from a legitimate place to another place in this coming November election. It will never be allowed,” he said.
Senator Achonu is hoping to unseat the incumbent governor, Hope Uzodimma, who is going for a second term in the election scheduled to hold in less than five months.
Also considered a frontrunner in the poll is Senator Sam Anyanwu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
