Governorship aspirant under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP), Valentine Ozigbo, has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the early release of the timetable for the state upcoming Governorship election slated for November 6, 2021.
Ozigbo gave the commendation at his campaign office in Awka, Anambra State capital.
He said the timetable will make room for adequate planning and preparation, which no doubt will engender smooth electoral process.
“I am certain that the early release of the timetable would prevent any form of ‘fire brigade’ approach. It would rather allow for well planned and seamless execution of electoral activities.
“Considering the complexity, rancorous nature, sky-high interests involved in electioneering processes and the unique political environment of Anambra State, it is worthwhile and commendable on the part of INEC to bring the people up to speed on the Commissions electoral plans early enough.
“After all anything worth doing is worth doing well, and no excellent job is ever done in haste,” he said.
According to Ozigbo, the lengthy period between the primary election and the main election was a good a pointer in the right direction as it would allow for final resolution of disputes that may arise from party primaries.
“The salience of this situation, if achieved, is that the voters will go to the polls with a clear mind of who the flag bearers of the different political parties are,” he added.
Ozigbo, who is the immediate past President and Group CEO of Transcorp Plc, used the opportunity to call on the judiciary to do all that is legally allowed to resolve all primary election litigations that may rear their ugly heads before the general election.
He also reminded the judicial arm of the government of its prime of place in the sustenance of Nigeria democracy.
However, he bemoaned the likelihood of over-heating of the polity by political actors as a fall out of the released timetable but cautioned that politicians in the state not unduly overheat the polity, urging the state government not sacrifice governance on the altar of politicking.
He advised INEC to ensure the continuous voter registration exercise, pursuant to Anambra 2021, so that those eligible for the exercise can do it with ease.