Rigging Anambra Election Impossible, Says Ozigbo

Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Anambra governorship election, Valentine Ozigbo, has said that the November 6 poll would be impossible to rig.

He said with the introduction of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System(BVAS) as well as the electronic transmission by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), rigging would be dead on arrival.

Ozigbo spoke during a Vote Not Fight conversation with music icon, 2face Idibia, powered by Catch Them Young Community Initiative (CATYCOI) with support from the National Democratic Institute and the United States Agency for International Development.

He however urged the electoral umpire to up its ante through increased public enlightenment especially at the grassroots.

He said: ” I’m happy also with what INEC has done so far, but I need them to up their game in terms of enlightenment. There’s a narrative that some persons are planning to rig the election.

“I can tell you that with the little that I know, it’s impossible for anybody to rig this election. With the introduction of BVAS by INEC, and now with the electronic transmission, all the game plan of whoever contemplating rigging has fallen.

“But we need this messaging to get to the nooks and crannies of the state so as to assure them that their votes will count and not just having a peaceful election.

“This is one way we can deepen democracy in Nigeria and ensure the right person emerges and for good governance to be instituted.”

According to Ozigbo, he had never solicited assistance from anyone to rig election for him or support him in manner that would disenfranchise his opponents, calling on his supporters not to engage in any form of violence.

“Don’t fight for me, God will fight for me. Just make sure you stand your ground so nothing wrong happens in your unit or ward so our votes would count,” he stressed.

He further regretted growing insecurity in the State, urging citizens, including those who might be sent from outside the State to create havoc to sheath their swords.

Idibia appealed to the PDP candidate to maximise his position to urge youths in the State to embrace peace and shun electoral violence.

“They will take the message serious especially when it comes from your person. We’re happy the level of violence is reducing and we look forward to a time it will be history in our electoral processes,” he noted.