By Ebriku John Friday
With less than 24 hours to the bye-election the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is set to conduct February 3, 2024, a Member Representing Obanliku/Obudu/Bekwarra Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Hon Peter Akpanke, Friday, called on the electorate in his constituency to shut external pressure before, during and after the election.
In a message to the people personally signed by himself, which he pointed out that a delicate task is before them to elect a candidate of their choice.
He said: “For my Obanliku people in particular, we have a delicate task at hand, to conclude our choice of a representative in the State House of Assembly.
“As law abiding people, I charge us to freely exercise our franchise with total disregard for external pressure.
“Luckily, the rerun election coming up on Saturday February 3, 2024 is restricted to just two polling units in the same ward. The candidates involved are also two brothers from the same ward. Only God knows why it has turned out to be so.
“It is also crystal clear that by electoral guidelines, campaign time elapsed at midnight on Thursday 01/02/2024.
“All that is left therefore is for the registered voters in the affected two polling units to be allowed to make their choice without fear or intimidation.”
However, he appealed to security agencies to do a professional job and avoid being used by unscrupulous elements to scuttle the electoral process.
“I appeal to all security agencies to professionally execute their duties so that the people’s franchise could be freely executed without external pressure.
“I also appeal to Obanliku youths to collaborate with security agencies to achieve a hitch free rerun election. Whoever the Obanliku people shall elect shall represent only Obanliku and not any other LGA.
“So, the election should be allowed to the Obanliku people in the affected two polling units to decide. There is no room for anyone who wants to cry more than the bereaved. Those who feel they have energy and wit to manipulate the Obanliku electoral process should please reserve such inglorious energy for use whenever their locality is involved.”
He also suggested that, “Accordingly, I appeal to security agencies and the youths to possibly mount check points to screen people and ensure that only voters from the two polling units are allowed into the affected communities.”
